On-line brush and spray washers to lower numbers of Campylobacter and Escherichia coli and presence of Salmonella on broiler carcasses during processing

It is unclear how effective different types of broiler carcass wash steps are in lowering the presence or numbers of pathogenic bacteria. We tested for individual and combined effectiveness of 5 separate on-line wash steps applied between bleed-out and chilling in a commercial broiler processing plant. Carcasses were sampled directly before and after each wash step: pre-scald brush washer, post-feather pick (New York dressed) spray washer, inside/outside spray washer, postevisceration brush washer, and final prechill spray washer. Carcasses were examined for numbers of Campylobacter and Escherichia coli and presence of Salmonella using standard cultural methods. Overall, numbers of Campylobacter were lowered from log 2.58 to 1.15 cfu/mL of carcass rinse, but no single wash step caused a significant decrease. Overall, Salmonella prevalence was decreased from 80 to 24%; however, no wash step caused a significant decrease by itself. The 5 wash steps in series lowered E. coli numbers from log 4.60 to 2.69 cfu/mL; the New York-dressed spray wash and the postevisceration brush washer each had a significant effect on E. coli. When examined separately, the benefit of broiler carcass wash steps may not be evident. However, when combined with overall processing, wash steps can be effective to lessen bacterial contamination on carcasses and be useful for pathogen control. Additional studies are necessary to maximize the effectiveness of carcass washers.     

Bactericidal Effect of Several Chemicals on Hatching Eggs Inoculated with Salmonella serovar Typhimurium

Breeder flocks and commercial hatcheries represent an early contamination point for Salmonella entry into commercial integrated poultry operations. Utilizing effective antimicrobial treatments for hatching eggs is a critical part of reducing the incidence of Salmonella-colonized chicks on the farm. The objective of this study was to evaluate the bactericidal effect of several chemicals on Salmonella-contaminated hatching eggs. Four replications (n = 10/treatment per replicate) were conducted to determine the efficacy of 7 commercially available compounds. The compounds tested were as follows: 1) hydrogen peroxide, 2) water-oil emulsion droplets stabilized by detergent, 3) peroxyacetic acid, 4) 4 quaternary ammonium compounds attached to a polymer, 5) 2 quaternary ammonium compounds, 1 biguanide compound and bronopol attached to a polymer, 6) N-alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride and stabilized urea, and 7) polyhexamethylenebiguanide hydrochloride. A naladixic acid-resistant Salmonella serovar Typhimurium was inoculated (10³ cfu/mL) onto fertile hatching eggs by drip-inoculation. Controls included a positive control (no spray application) and a water control (spray containing water to take into account rinsing effects). Compounds 5 and 7 had a 100% reduction, and both of these chemicals included a biguanide. Compounds 4 and 3 were also effective with a 95 and 93.5% reduction, respectively. Compounds 6 and 2 were the least effective of all chemicals, with a reduction of 47.5 and 40%, respectively. Hydrogen peroxide (compound 1), which has been used by the poultry industry, had a 70% reduction, and the water control produced a 10% reduction due to the rinsing effect. Several antimicrobials tested were more effective than hydrogen peroxide. More detailed studies will be required to adequately evaluate these antimicrobials.     

A Microbiological Assessment of On-Farm Food Safety Cleaning Methods in Broiler Barns

Little is known about the effectiveness of current poultry industry cleaning and disinfection procedures in broiler barns. Surface swabs were taken from a commercial broiler barn and a research broiler barn. The swabs were analyzed to determine if cleaning and disinfectant processes used would reduce the numbers of total aerobic bacteria and the total Enterobacteriaceae on the walls of the commercial barn (Experiment 1) and on the walls and floor of the research barn (Experiment 2). Microbiological analyses were used to assess bacterial loads within each barn. In Experiment 1 the mean of total aerobic bacterial counts were not affected by the cleaning and disinfectant process. However, the means of total Enterobacteriaceae counts were significantly reduced by the washing process. Disinfection with Virkon did not further reduce the numbers of Enterobacteriaceae. In general, the cleaning processes used in wood and metal barns were effective in reducing Enterobacteriaceae counts. In Experiment 2, neither the mean of total aerobic bacterial counts nor Enterobacteriaceae counts were affected by the washing process. However, disinfection with Virkon did result in a significant reduction of bacterial numbers. In summary, the disinfectant step performed in the research barn was effective in decreasing both total aerobic and Enterobacteriaceae counts.     

Impact of added sand on the recovery of Salmonella,Campylobacter, Escherichia coli,and coliforms from prechill and postchill commercial broiler carcass halves

Salmonella and Campylobacter are often associated with raw poultry products and continue to be leading causes of food-borne gastroenteritis in the United States. As a result, the presence of these organisms on broiler carcasses is monitored on a routine basis. Abrasive rinsing methods (e.g., adding glass beads) have been shown to increase the level of bacteria recovered from carcasses or carcass parts. The objective of this study was to evaluate the addition of sand to the rinse on bacterial enumeration and the prevalence of Salmonella and Campylobacter recovered from broiler carcasses. During each of 4 replications, 6 prechill and 6 postchill broiler carcasses were collected from a commercial processing plant. All carcasses were split along the dorso-ventral midline. Carcass halves were rinsed in buffered peptone water, whereas the companion half was rinsed in buffered peptone water with sterile sand added. All carcass halves were rinsed for 1 min and the rinsate was collected. Salmonella, coliforms, and Escherichia coli were enumerated and the prevalence of Salmonella and Campylobacter was determined. Salmonella and Campylobacter were isolated from 17 and 50% of the carcass halves, respectively. There was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in Salmonella or Campylobacter prevalence from carcass halves rinsed with or without sand. The addition of sand to the rinse had no effect on the number of Salmonella, coliforms, or E. coli recovered from prechill or postchill carcass halves. These results show that adding sand to the rinse liquid did not improve the recovery of bacteria present on the carcass in either moderate (2.6 log₁₀ cfu/mL rinsate) or low numbers (<3 cfu/mL of rinsate).     

Risk Factors Associated with Salmonella Status of Broiler Flocks Delivered to Grow‐Out Farms

In a prospective field observational study in the southeastern USA, we sampled gastrointestinal (GI) tracts from chicks of 65 broiler flocks delivered to conventional grow‐out farms for rearing. The flocks were hatched at seven broiler hatcheries. The mean within‐flock prevalence of Salmonella‐positive samples was 6.5% and ranged from 0% to 86.7%. Of the 65 flocks studied, 25 (38.5%) had at least one Salmonella‐positive sample. Accounting for confounding variability among the hatcheries and broiler companies, we tested whether the probability of detecting Salmonella in GI tracts of the chicks delivered was associated with certain characteristics of parent breeder flocks; hatchery production volume; hatchery ventilation system; hatchery egg‐room conditions; egg incubation, candling, hatching, eggshell and bird separation, and bird‐processing procedures; management of hatchery‐to‐farm transportation; day of week of hatch; weather conditions during transportation; or season of the hatch. Two risk factor models were adopted. The first model indicated that a greater number of parent flocks, manual separation of eggshell and bird, and a greater amount of fluff and feces on tray liners used during hatchery‐to‐farm transportation at delivery were associated with increased probability of detecting Salmonella in chick GI tracts, whereas a greater number of birds in the delivery vehicle was associated with decreased probability. The second model indicated that broiler flocks hatched on Tuesdays versus either Mondays or Thursdays (with no hatches on Wednesdays, Fridays or week‐ends), increased average hatchability of the eggs from the parent flocks, and greater amounts of fluff and feces on the transport tray liners at delivery were all associated with increased probability of detecting Salmonella in chick GI tracts. The results of this study suggest potential management decisions to lessen Salmonella contamination of broilers supplied by commercial hatcheries and areas for further research.     

Integrated farm management to prevent Salmonella Enteritidis contamination of eggs

Salmonella Enteritidis in contaminated eggs is a public health hazard that may cause hospitalization or death in the elderly, infants, and individuals with impaired immune systems. Prevention of Salmonella Enteritidis infection of laying hens is an essential first step in reducing Salmonella Enteritidis outbreaks in humans. Multiple interventions at several stages during egg production can combine to reduce numbers of infected chickens and keep egg contamination to low levels. Every effort should be made to exclude Salmonella Enteritidis from egg production premises by implementing effective biosecurity measures, stocking the farm with Salmonella Enteritidis-free replacement pullets, controlling rodent and insect vectors, and denying wild birds and pets access to chicken houses. Diligent cleaning and disinfection of chicken houses before introduction of a new flock will minimize environmental exposure and indirect horizontal transmission of multiple pathogens, including Salmonella Enteritidis. Increased resistance of chickens to intestinal colonization by Salmonella Enteritidis can be attained by the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics. Laying hens should be immunized with live and killed vaccines to stimulate mucosal and systemic immunity and reduce the prevalence of Salmonella Enteritidis-contaminated eggs. Shell eggs should be refrigerated as soon as possible after laying to keep Salmonella Enteritidis cells at low levels in any contaminated eggs. Comprehensive Salmonella Enteritidis-control programs have proven to be successful in reducing the incidence of Salmonella Enteritidis infections in both egg-laying flocks and humans.     

Removing faecal contamination of broilers by spray‐cleaning during evisceration

1. The faecal contamination of broiler carcasses during evisceration results in an increase in contamination with Enterobacteriaceae, including any salmonellas present.

2. This increase can be prevented completely by spray‐cleaning carcasses during the various stages of evisceration.

3. If the carcasses are cleaned only at the end of the evisceration process, the numbers of Enterobacteriaceae are not reduced to initial levels and Salmonella contamination is less efficiently removed.     

Assessing evidence of a potential Salmonella transmission across the poultry food chain

Enhanced Salmonella surveillance programmes in poultry were implemented in all European Member States, with minimum prevalence targets for a list of targeted serotypes to safeguard food and public health. Based on the Belgian Salmonella surveillance programme and focusing on poultry, the overarching aim of this study was to highlight possible Salmonella transmissions across the food chain (FC). For this purpose, firstly, the prevalence patterns of Salmonella (targeted and the most prevalent non-targeted) serotypes along the FC were described over time. Secondly, the effectiveness of the control measures against vertical transmission (breeders to 1-day-old broiler and layer chicks) was indirectly assessed by looking into the odds of targeted serotypes detection. Thirdly, it was appraised if Salmonella prevalence can significantly increase during broilers and layers production. In addition, it was tested if being tested negative at the end of production in broilers when tested positive at the entrance is serotype dependent (targeted vs. non-targeted serotypes). Results showed that, firstly, the prevalence patterns of the listed serotypes were inconstant over time and across the FC. Secondly, the odds of Salmonella targeted serotype detection in 1-day-old broiler and in 1-day-old layer flocks were lower than in breeder flocks while, thirdly, infection during broiler and layer production can lead to significant increase in positivity in subsequent samples. Finally, being infected by a targeted or by non-targeted serotype at the entrance of the flock poorly reflects the Salmonella status at the end of production. Note that this study did not make a distinction between the different sources of contamination and the effects of sampling methods and isolation methods should be subject to further investigation.     

Prevalence and antibiotic resistance profiles ofSalmonella serotypes isolated from backyard poultry flocks in West Bengal,India

The present study was conducted to determine prevalence, virulence gene profile, serotyping, and antibiotic resistance patterns ofSalmonella in birds kept under the backyard system in West Bengal, India. The study also incorporated the detection ofSalmonella prevalence in their environment, including feed, drinking water, utensils, litter, dried manure under the house, soil, and eggs, which helped to formulate a biosecurity strategy. The study was conducted in 4 agro-climatic zones, such as the terai, new alluvial, red laterite, and coastal. Out of 360 samples, 22Salmonella isolates (6.1%) were identified.Salmonella were isolated from cloacal swabs of 6 birds (15%, n = 40), from 4 feed samples (10%, n = 40), 8 drinking water samples (20%, n = 40), and 4 eggs (10%, n = 40). Similar antigenic structure, nucleotide sequence (invA) ofSalmonella Enteritidis and Typhimurium, and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA banding patterns ofSalmonella Enteritidis were observed. It seems that the sameSalmonella isolate was present in feed sample, cloacal swabs, and eggs in the terai zone, whereas, it was found in drinking water, birds, and eggs in the new alluvial and in drinking water and birds in the coastal zone. A zone-specific biosecurity strategy was formulated based on the findings. The isolates were found to be resistant to chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, levofloxacin, norfloxacin, and oxytetracycline. None of the isolates possessed genes for major extended spectrum β-lactamases. Thus, the present study identified the source ofSalmonella contamination in the backyard chickens and their eggs in India with possible forms of biosecurity strategies. Our study was the first attempt in India to determine the prevalence, virulence gene profile, serotyping, and antibiotic resistance pattern ofSalmonella in backyard birds, including the environment and product.     

Salmonella Incidence in Broilers from Breeders Vaccinated with Live and Killed Salmonella

Salmonella reduction in broilers from commercial broiler breeders vaccinated with live and killed Salmonella vaccines was evaluated. Broiler breeders were vaccinated with Poulvac ST live Salmonella Typhimurium vaccine at 1 d of age, and this was repeated at 2 and 6 wk of age. The breeders were then administered a killed autogenous oil emulsion adjuvanted vaccine containing Salmonella Kentucky, Salmonella Heidelberg, and Salmonella Hadar, at 10 and 18 wk of age. From the ages of 36 to 52 wk, eggs from the breeder flock were hatched, and progeny were challenged in 4 separate experiments at 1 d of age by oral gavage with 1 × 10⁶ cfu/chick by either Salmonella Kentucky, Salmonella Heidelberg, Salmonella Hadar, or Salmonella Enteritidis, each containing resistance to naladixic acid at 32 μg/mL. At 17 to 21 d of age, the broilers were euthanized, and 1 side of the cecum was cultured for Salmonella, and the other side of the cecum was used for enumeration on positive samples. Recovered Salmonella was confirmed to be the challenge strain by O-antisera grouping. This study indicated a difference in Salmonella incidence and enumeration between the vaccinated and nonvaccinated breeder groups for certain species. When challenged with serotypes Salmonella Kentucky, Salmonella Hadar, and Salmonella Heidelberg, protection was noted with a reduction of 28, 17, and 11%, respectively, when compared with the control groups. However, protection was not seen when challenged with S. enteritidis. Under the conditions of this study, live and killed vaccination of commercial broiler breeders with Salmonella contributes protection to progeny when challenged at 1 d of age.     

Relationships of incubational hatching egg characteristics to posthatch body weight and processing yield in Ross × Ross 708 broilers ,

The characteristics of broiler hatching eggs have the potential to effect broiler posthatch growth and processing yield. The association of set egg weight (SEW), length of incubation (LI), and mean daily percentage of incubational weight loss (MDPEWL) of embryonated Ross × Ross 708 broiler hatching eggs with subsequent posthatch BW and processing yield was investigated. Sixty Ross × Ross 708 broiler hatching eggs were randomly set on each of 8 replicate tray levels of an incubator. Weight loss of individual embryonated eggs between 0 and 10.5, 10.5 and 18.5, and 0 and 18.5 d of incubation was determined for the calculation of MDPEWL. Furthermore, on 18.5 d of incubation, embryonated eggs were transferred to a hatcher unit where they were individually monitored for hatch every 12 h for determination of LI. Chicks were placed in corresponding replicate floor pens and were grown out from 0 (21.5 d of incubation) to 49 d posthatch. Live bird BW as a percentage of SEW on 21.0 d of incubation and d 0 and 49 posthatch, and bird sex on d 49 posthatch were determined. After commercial processing, carcass weight as a percentage of SEW, and carcass, abdominal fat pad, wings, breast muscle, tenders, drumsticks, and thighs weights as percentages of live BW were determined. Bird BW on 21.0 d of incubation and on d 0 and 49 posthatch were positively correlated or interrelated with SEW. Between 0 and 10.5 d of incubation, MDPEWL was negatively correlated with absolute and relative BW on 21.0 d of incubation, absolute BW on d 0 posthatch, and relative tenders weight. Further, LI was positively correlated with absolute and relative BW on 21.0 d of incubation and d 0 posthatch, but was negatively correlated with relative (percentage of live BW) carcass weight on d 49 posthatch. The MDPEWL of modern strain broiler hatching eggs should be closely monitored, particularly during the first half of incubation, for the regulation of LI and hatchling BW and for their potential effects on processing yield characteristics.     

Evaluation of a Competitive Exclusion Culture and Megan Vac 1 on Salmonella Typhimurium Colonization in Neonatal Broiler Chickens

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of individual or simultaneous application of 2 products, a competitive exclusion culture (CEC) or Megan Vac 1 (MV), for bioefficacy in reducing Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) cecal colonization in broiler chicks following experimental challenge. In experiment 1, CEC and MV were applied to day-of-hatch broiler chicks, and chicks were experimentally challenged with ST approximately 48 h later. In control chicks, ST was recovered at a level of 3.84 log₁₀ cfu/g following direct plating of cecal contents, and 12 of 19 (63.15%) cultured individual ceca were positive following selective enrichment. In chicks receiving CEC by spray application on day of hatch, a numerical reduction in ST recovered from cecal contents (2.63 log₁₀ cfu/g) and a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in recovery of ST from cultured ceca following selective enrichment (4 of 18, or 22.2%) was observed when compared with controls. Significant reductions in ST cecal colonization in chicks treated with MV alone were not observed in experiment 1. In experiment 2, chicks received day-of-hatch spray application of CEC alone, MV alone, or CEC and MV as a combined application immediately prior to or within 24 h of chick placement. When chicks were experimentally challenged with ST 48 h posthatch, significant reductions (P < 0.05) in cecal colonization by ST were observed with each experimental group when compared with nontreated controls. These data suggest that both commercially available products, alone or in combination, are efficacious in reducing cecal colonization in broiler chicks challenged with ST.     

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica isolated from chicken carcasses and environment at slaughter in Reunion Island: prevalence, genetic characterization and antibiotic susceptibility

Salmonella contamination of 71 chicken broiler flocks was investigated at the slaughterhouse in Reunion Island between October 2007 and January 2009. Samples were collected from live broiler chickens and chicken carcasses as well as the slaughterhouse environment. Salmonella spp. was isolated from 40 of 71 (56 % with a confidence interval 5 % [45–67]) broiler chicken flocks at slaughter. The most prominent serovars were Blockley (31 %), Typhimurium and Brancaster (14 %), Hadar (10 %), Salmonella multidrug resistant clinical organisms serotypes 1,4,[5],12:i:-, and Virchow (8 %) and Livingstone, St. Paul, Seftenberg, Llandoff, Infantis and Indiana. At the farm, 27 % of the broiler chicken flocks tested positive for Salmonella spp. Salmonella spp. was isolated from 124 of 497 environmental samples (25 %). In most cases, there was no relationship between pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern and antibiotic resistance pattern. The predominant Salmonella serovars were susceptible to most of the tested antibiotic drugs, but S. Hadar exhibited multidrug resistance. This study highlighted the primary source of Salmonella was the farm of origin and downstream stages in processing could not remedy to but amplify this Salmonella contamination.     

On farm prevention ofCampylobacter andSalmonella: lessons learned from basic biosecurity interventions

An observational study examining prevalence ofCampylobacter andSalmonella in environmental samples and biosecurity interventions to mitigate these 2 pathogens was performed for 3 consecutive flocks on a commercial broiler farm in northeast Georgia. Monitoring was performed first on a baseline flock for which no interventions or treatments were undertaken. The same monitoring was performed for 2 subsequent flocks which underwent biosecurity interventions and pest management treatments designed to prevent introduction and transmission ofCampylobacter andSalmonella. In addition to environmental sampling for the 2 treatment flocks, fly, darkling beetle, water line, and cecal samples were collected. No management interventions were instituted within or between flocks other than those prescribed by study design. Complete prevention ofCampylobacter andSalmonella was unsuccessful in the treated flocks but differences in prevalence were apparent although only 2 statistically significant differences were found between study flocks. Study data also revealed interesting patterns with respect to location and timing of positive isolations ofCampylobacter andSalmonella.     

A systematic review-meta-analysis of chilling interventions and a meta-regression of various processing interventions for Salmonella contamination of chicken

Context

The results of individual studies investigating the efficacy of chilling and other processing interventions on Salmonella prevalence or concentration in broiler chicken carcasses are inconsistent or contradictory.

Objective

Determine efficacy of chilling on reducing Salmonella prevalence or concentration on broiler carcasses using systematic review-meta-analysis, and explore sources of heterogeneity among studies investigating various processing interventions through meta-regression.

Data sources

A comprehensive search included electronic search in six databases, manual search of reference lists of topic-related articles, and consultation with five topic experts to assure that all relevant intervention research was identified.

Study inclusion

Primary intervention research, published in English, encompassing control, challenge, cohort, or before-and-after study designs investigating the efficacy of any chilling or other processing interventions on Salmonella prevalence or concentration in broiler chicken carcasses.

Risk of bias assessment and data extraction

Data pertaining to study methodology and reported results, chilling or other processing intervention parameters, populations sampled and outcomes measured were assessed for methodological soundness and extracted by two independent reviewers using pretested checklists.

Results

Random-effects meta-analyses of immersion chilling with chlorine (n = 9 trials), acetic acid (n = 16) and potable water (n = 13) trended towards reductions in the odds or log₁₀ CFU/ml of Salmonella. Significant heterogeneity (P-value ≤ 0.1 and I² > 25%) precluded the reporting of pooled summary effect estimates. Meta-regression of all processing interventions indicated that serotype, disinfectant type and treatment time and pH were significantly associated with studies reporting reductions in concentration while study design, population sampled, study setting, publication date, intervention and disinfectant type, and treatment pH were significantly associated with studies reporting reductions in prevalence. Methodological and reporting flaws were consistently observed in relevant intervention research as well as a lack of studies conducted under commercial conditions and using Salmonella concentration outcomes.

Conclusions

Chilling may be effective at reducing Salmonella concentration and prevalence, but significant heterogeneity precluded reporting of pooled summary effect estimates for many chilling interventions. Investigations into potential sources of heterogeneity among all processing interventions found that the use of other chemical disinfectants, such as organic acids and surfactants might result in larger reductions in Salmonella contamination than more commonly utilized oxidizing agents like chlorine.     

Epidemiological associations between characteristics of registered broiler chicken flocks in Canada and the Salmonella culture status of floor litter and drinking water

A Canada-wide flock management survey of 294 randomly selected commercial broiler chicken flocks was conducted during 1989-1990. The prevalence of flocks that yielded Salmonella from cultures of floor litter or drinking water, and the prevalence of floor litter samples that yielded Salmonella, were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with the age of the flock and the region of Canda in which the flock was located. Culture of Salmonella from the drinking water was significantly associated (p < 0.05) with the type of drinker used, the dead bird disposal method, and the region of Canada in which the flock was located. There was a significantly greater risk (p < 0.05) of contamination of drinking water with Salmonella from trough drinkers (odds ratio = 7.99) and plastic bell drinkers (odds ratio = 6.10) than from nipple drinkers. No significant associations were found between pest control, restrictions on visitors, clean-out methods, or water sanitization and the culture of salmonellae from floor litter or drinking water.     

The effect of environmental poultry samples on the pH of typical Salmonella pre-enrichment and enrichment media following incubation

The first step to detect Salmonella in feed and other dry contaminated samples is a pre-enrichment broth that can assist in the recovery of small numbers of stressed Salmonella cells. A previous study demonstrated that incubation of feed and feed ingredients in commonly used pre-enrichment media resulted in a low pH that injured or killed the Salmonella. The objective of this study was to determine which environmental samples and pre-enrichment and selective broths could interfere with the accuracy of Salmonella detection by allowing pH to drop. Samples were collected from commercial poultry operations. Triplicate 10-g subunits were dispensed into sterile 18-oz Whirl Pak bags and 90 mL of each of the media [lactose broth (LB), buffered peptone water (BPW), Universal Pre-enrichment (UP), minimal salts (M-9), tetrathionate broth (TT) and Rappaport-Vassiliadis broth (RV)] were added to the bags and incubated 24 h at 37°C (or 42°C for RV and TT). The pH was measured after incubation. With turkey litter, fluff, and eggshells, regardless of media, the pH never went below 5.7. Regardless of sample type, the lowest pH was 6.1, 6.2, and 6.4 for UP, M-9, and BPW, respectively. For the pre-enrichment medium commonly used in the US, (LB) the pH dropped to 4.7 to 4.9 with broiler litter and 4.2 for boot covers used in turkey or broiler houses. Many researchers testing these sample types are unaware of this potential for pH change during pre-enrichment and may be underestimating the presence of Salmonella.     

Relationship of Late Embryo Loss and Anomalies in Broiler Offspring

A previous study of Mississippi broiler complexes indicated a significant increase (0.640 to 1.77%) of embryonic total gross anatomical anomalies (TA) in the hatch residue. A separate field study in a single broiler complex of 8 breeder flocks, each hatching in 2 machines on the same day, illustrated a positive correlation between TA and total late stage embryo loss (TLEL; 16 to 21 d of incubation). The current study examined egg hatch residue from 92 selected breeder flocks that were hatched in each of 2 machines on the same date, with each respective machine being identified during egg residue analysis as having either low or high TLEL. Five makes of multistage incubational units were utilized within 10 different hatcheries in 7 states. The eggs were from breeders that comprised 32 weekly age groups (wk 27 to 61) and 5 separate strain crosses. When the egg residue results from the 92 flocks (hatching in 184 machines) were placed into 1 of 2 groups according to level (low and high) of TLEL, the high TLEL group showed a significantly lower estimated hatching efficiency (EHF) and significantly higher levels of TA and embryo head misorientations toward the small end of the egg than did the low TLEL group. The percentage change in EHF was 1.28% between eggs belonging to low (93.8%) and high (92.6%) TLEL groups. Also, TLEL in both low and high groups was significantly (P ≤ 0.0001) correlated with EHF, TA, total cracked or crushed eggs, and with eggs having embryo heads misoriented toward the small end. These results strongly suggest that TA plays a minor role, if at all, as a cause of lower EHF and that TA incidence may serve as a biomarker for hatching efficiency.     

Effects of coated hatching eggs obtained from old broiler breeders with chitosan on embryonic growth,hatching results and chick quality

The aim of this research was to determine the effects of coating broiler hatching eggs with chitosan on egg quality, embryonic growth, hatching results and chick quality. Eggs obtained from old broiler breeder, aged 59 weeks, were used. Eggs were divided into two groups (coated with chitosan and uncoated) groups. Each group was divided into three groups according to the storage period. Eggs were stored for periods of 1, 4 and 7 days at 15°C and 80% humidity. Then, they were incubated. Storage period of eggs up to 7 days did not affect the egg quality, egg weight loss, embryo growth, chick properties and hatchability of fertile eggs. However, embryo development, relative residual yolk sac weight and relative chick weight were affected by coating eggs with chitosan. Interaction was not found between storage lengths and coating of eggs with chitosan for all examined parameters. The results of the present study suggested that hatching eggs obtained from old broiler breeder flocks were immersed into chitosan solution once and quickly have negative effect on the embryo weight, yolk sac absorption and relative chick weight. It has been observed that covering the hatching eggs with chitosan is not suitable in this respect even if immersion takes place once and in a short time.     

Efficacy of chlorine dioxide gas in reducing Escherichia coli and Salmonella from broiler house environments

Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. are considered to be the major pathogens associated with human transmissible infectious diseases in the air of poultry houses. Chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) is an effective biocide against a wide range of microorganisms. Accordingly, this study investigated the efficiency of gaseous ClO₂ application for disinfecting broiler houses by collecting air samples before and after fumigation using a passive method. Fumigation was performed with 125 mL or 250 mL of ClO₂ liquid (containing 2,000 ppm of ClO₂) and 3 trials were conducted for each dose. A total of 27 petri dishes were used for each trial (for each type of bacteria: E. coli or Salmonella) and placed in 3 different locations (front, middle and back) and 3 different positions (top, middle and floor) of the broiler shed. Air samples were collected at 10 min, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, and 12 h before and after fumigation to evaluate the air quality in terms of the concentration of E. coli and Salmonella. Both levels of ClO₂ were capable of reducing the concentration of E. coli from broiler house air during all measuring periods except 10 min, with highest disinfection rate being observed at 6 h. With the exception of 1 h, the concentration of Salmonella was also reduced after fumigation with ClO₂ in all measuring period; with the highest disinfection rate occurring at 6 h. Fumigation with ClO₂ had no negative effect on birds’ health condition. Taken together, these results suggest that the application of gaseous ClO₂ at the investigated levels can be an effective option for reducing bacterial load from broiler house environments.