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.     

Relationship to growth performance of pneumonia and atrophic rhinitis lesions detected in pigs at slaughter among four seasons.

A commercial swine herd was selected for study, because pigs at slaughter repeatedly had lung lesions consistent with enzootic pneumonia and had snout lesions typical of atrophic rhinitis. Pigs born during various seasons of the year were allotted to 4 investigations and were evaluated from birth to slaughter. Individual lungs and snouts were identified and collected at the slaughter plant and later examined for gross lesions of bronchopneumonia and atrophic rhinitis, respectively. Each lesion was scored, and the following comparisons were made within investigations: prevalence and mean scores for lung lesions; prevalence and mean grades for snout lesions; correlations between lung lesion scores and growth indicators; correlations between snout lesion grades and growth indicators; and correlations between lung lesion scores and snout grade scores. Included in the growth indicators were average daily gain during the growing phase, average daily gain during the finishing phase, average daily gain during growing and finishing phases, and days to attain 104.5 kg of body weight. Prevalence of lung or snout lesions, mean values for lung lesion scores, mean values for snout lesion grades, and mean values for the various growth indicators were tested for statistical differences among the 4 investigations. Prevalence of lung lesions was highest (96%) for winter-slaughtered and lowest (81%) for autumn-slaughtered pigs. Mean scores for lung lesions were 7% (summer), 5% (autumn), 9% (winter), and 16% (spring). Prevalence of snout lesions was highest (85%) for spring-slaughtered pigs and lowest (42%) for autumn-slaughtered pigs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Relationship of growth performance to pneumonia and atrophic rhinitis detected in pigs at slaughter

Three commercial swine herds were selected for study, because pigs at slaughter consistently had lung lesions typical of bronchopneumonia and snout lesions consistent with atrophic rhinitis. Pigs were reared in the conventional system for each herd except that they were identified at birth and weighted at various intervals. At slaughter, individual pig lungs and snout were examined for lesions of pneumonia and atrophic rhinitis, respectively. Lesions were scored and correlated with growth indicators for each pig. Included in the growth indicators were: average daily gain (growing phase), average daily gain (finishing phase), average daily gain (total), and days to reach 104.5-kg body weight. Additionally, for each pig, scores for lung lesions were correlated to grades for snout lesions. Three correlation coefficients for measurements of pigs within herd B were significant and included days to 104.5-kg body weight and grades for snout lesions, -0.15 (P less than 0.02); average daily gain (finishing) and grades for snout lesions, 0.17 (P less than 0.01); and average daily gain (total) and grades for snout lesions, 0.16 (P less than 0.01). Contrary to findings in other investigations, pigs that attained market weight at the youngest age did not have the lowest score for lung lesions, the lowest grade for snout lesions, or the least extensive or severe lesions. Combining data from all 3 herds, the mean scores for lung lesions and mean grades for snout lesions decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) as the age of pigs at slaughter increased. All other statistical correlations were not significant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Efficacies of fenbendazole and levamisole in the treatment of commercial turkeys for Ascaridia dissimilis infections

A field trial was conducted on a farm in Michigan with commercial turkeys naturally infected with Ascaridia dissimilis. The birds were treated at approximately 8 and 14 wk of age on a per-barn basis with fenbendazole (Safeguard) in the feed at 16 ppm for 6 d (1 barn), or with levamisole (Prohibit) in the water at 16 mg/kg of BW (2 barns). Six birds were obtained at random and sacrificed in each barn for worm burden determinations before treatments and again soon after treatments. Nematicidal efficacies for fenbendazole and levamisole were shown to be 99.3 to 99.9% and 54.6 to 85.8%, respectively. Despite the far greater reductions in worm burdens by fenbendazole as compared with levamisole, the burdens at the time of retreatment had equalized in all barns, illustrating the role of premunition regarding turkey ascaridiasis, and highlighting the overriding importance of reducing the challenge to provide long-term control of this parasitism.     

The association between pneumonia and atrophic rhinitis in slaughter weight Swine

Four hundred and sixty-two pigs from 37 herds were examined at slaughter for the presence and extent of turbinate atrophy and pneumonia. Turbinate atrophy was scored by measuring the mm space between the turbinate bone and the floor of the nasal cavity on both sides of the nasal septum. The total percentage of pneumonic involvement for each lung was evaluated by scoring the percentage of each lobe that was consolidated.

There was a low, positive correlation between individual scores of turbinate atrophy and the associated percentage of lung involved with pneumonia (r = + 0.177; p < 0.001). There was a postive correlation between the herd mean turbinate atrophy score and the herd mean percentage pneumonia score (r = + 0.515; p = 0.001).

The age at slaughter was known for 95 pigs from four herds and was not significantly correlated with the mm of turbinate atrophy, or the percentage of pneumonia.

     

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in bioaerosols after depopulation and cleaning of two cattle barns

Settled dust samples were collected on a commercial dairy farm in the Netherlands with a high prevalence of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) (barn A) and on a Dutch experimental cattle farm (barn B) stocked with cattle confirmed to be MAP shedders. Barns were sampled while animals were present, after both barns were destocked and cleaned by cold high-pressure cleaning, and after being kept empty for two weeks (barn A) or after additional disinfection (barn B). MAP DNA was detected by IS900 real-time PCR and viable MAP were detected by liquid culture. MAP DNA was detected in 78 per cent of samples from barn A and 86 per cent of samples from barn B collected while animals were still present. Viable MAP was detected in six of nine samples from barn A and in three of seven samples from barn B. After cold high-pressure cleaning, viable MAP could be detected in only two samples from each barn. After leaving barn A empty for two weeks, and following additional disinfection of barn B, no viable MAP could be detected in any settled dust sample.     

东北地区冬季肉牛采暖舍环境指标测定与评价

[目的]为了解东北地区冬季育肥牛舍的环境状况。[方法]对具有代表性的育肥牛采暖舍进行了为期5d的实地测量试验。所测得的温湿度、风速、CO2浓度、NH3浓度[结果]为:舍内平均温度为12.4℃、湿度为83.9%、风速为0.10m/s、CO2平均浓度为3647ppm、NH3平均浓度为14.7ppm。由测量[结果]可知:采暖舍内温度、湿度和风速均能很好的满足肉牛的生长和育肥的需要。但是CO2、NH3气体浓度稍高,可能是由于通风系统设计不合理造成的,但没有对牛的生长生活产生影响。由此可见,北方冬季采暖舍环境舒适度较高,可作为冬季肉牛舍有效的保温措施之一。[结论]通过本试验的结果,为北方冬季肉牛舍的建筑设计及健康养殖技术的改进提供一定的技术依据。     

A study of air quality and respiratory infections in pigs raised in confinement

Air quality, respiratory disease, and growth rate were followed in four different farrowing and nursery systems. Ammonia levels varied with ambient air temperature, but were within normally accepted levels (25 ppm). These levels of ammonia did not appear to affect the health or performance of the pigs raised in these units. Hydrogen sulfide levels were consistently low. Counts of bacterial colony forming particles (BCFP) varied and the organisms identified were predominantly micrococci. Bordetella bronchiseptica was isolated from nasal cavities of pigs from 3 out of 4 farms. Three of the farms did not have evidence of atrophic rhinitis; pigs farrowed in the last quarter of the test year on one farm from which B. bronchiseptica was isolated developed lesions of atrophic rhinitis. The B. bronchiseptica isolates from the 3 farms were virulent for gnotobiotic piglets. Groups of pigs for slaughter inspection from one farm had lungs with 11–28% pneumonic lesions; these lesions were not typical of mycoplasmal pneumonia.     

Airborne Gram‐Negative Bacterial Flora in Animal Houses

The concentration and the species composition of airborne gram‐negative bacteria were studied in four cattle houses, one pig house and one poultry barn. On average only between 0.02 and 5.2 % of the total number of culturable aerobic bacteria were identified as gram‐negative bacteria. Obligate anaerobic gram‐negative bacteria were not isolated at all. In the airborne gram‐negative bacterial flora the following bacterial families dominated: the Enterobacteriaceae, the Pseudomonadaceae and the Neisseriaceae. Within the family of the Enterobacteriaceae the species Escherichia coli and Enterobacter agglomerans were predominant. In animal houses using straw as bedding material Ent. agglomerans was most frequent, whereas in animal houses without litter E. coli was mainly found. Airborne Neisseriaceae were isolated very frequently in cow barns with Acinetobacter lowffii as the primary species. Airborne Pseudomonadaceae were found in high concentrations during periods of high air humidity. The results presented may also give some indications on the origin and sources of airborne endotoxins in animal housing.     

高温季节羔羊育肥舍环境参数研究

利用中原农区（山东东营、河南洛阳、河北衡水）三个国家肉羊试验站同类型半开放式羊舍,取中伏10d高温时段（14∶00）,测得羔羊育肥羊舍内平均温度（30.34±1.16）℃,平均湿度71.9%;测得舍外平均温度（31.89±2.88）℃,湿度70.2%。舍内比舍外低1.55℃（P〉0.05）,湿度增加1.7%（P〉0.05）。而同步测得本试验羊场（济南）同类型羊舍与三个试验站的平均温度、湿度相吻合。极端温度舍外温度40.3℃时,开放式羊舍内达到38.2℃,半开放式羊舍内35.5℃,密闭式（空调）舍保持在24.4℃,比开放式羊舍降低13.8℃（P〈0.01）,比半开放式羊舍降低11.1℃（P〈0.01）。在极端温度条件下,开放式羊舍中鲁西黑头羊公羔呼吸次数达到94次/min,而半开放式羊舍中的鲁西黑头羊公羔为62次/min（P〈0.05）。综合分析,夏季农区羔羊育肥最好选择半开放式羊舍。     

The development of injurious pecking in a commercial turkey facility

Injurious pecking is considered a major economic concern and affects all sectors of commercial poultry production. Though extensive research has been performed examining feather pecking in layer chickens, little information exists regarding feather or head pecking behavior in domestic turkey flocks, and less still in commercial settings. The objective of the present field study was to examine the development of injurious feather and head pecking in tom turkeys raised in 2 different commercial environments. At a commercial facility, 49,332 beak-conditioned tom turkeys were placed in 8 barns (5,000–7,500 turkeys/barn) and studied through 16 wk of age. Approximately half were housed in control barns in March 2010; these barns were environmentally controlled (artificial light and tunnel ventilation) in both rearing and growing, with a density of 0.16 m²/bird for rearing through 4.5 wk and 0.39 m²/bird for growing through 16 wk. The remaining turkeys were housed in curtain-sided barns in April 2010; the 4 rearing barns were environmentally controlled with a density of 0.10 m²/bird, whereas the 4 growing barns had natural light and ventilation and a density of 0.36 to 0.38 m²/bird through 16 wk. Two barns from each growing environment were provided with multicolored plastic balls as enrichment. Each housing and enrichment combination had 2 replicate barns. Behavior, weights, and feather condition were assessed every 3 wk. Mortalities and culls were recorded as they occurred. Turkeys in curtain-sided barns had worse feather condition and more culls and mortalities with severe pecking injuries compared with those in control barns. In both environments, severe and gentle pecking was observed throughout production, and the majority of culls and mortalities had severe pecking injuries. More controlled studies are needed to parse the causal factors of injurious pecking in toms.     

Mixed models applied to the study of variation of grower-finisher mortality and culling rates of a large swine production system

Large scale production systems for swine are frequently organized in a hierarchical structure. Consequently, important production parameters, such as mortality and culling, can be analyzed at different levels. The major aims of this study were to assess variance components (VC) of mortality and culling rates attributed to sites and to barns within a site, and subsequently to investigate the impact of average entry weight, days on feed (length of the production turn), and season on the magnitude of the VC. Then, data from a large farm with 3 sites were collected during 5 y. In total, 1720040 pigs distributed in 1502 all-in/all-out grower-finisher groups were included. Linear mixed models were fitted for mortality and culling rates. The barn was modeled as the residual component (barn-to-barn variations) with production turn and site nested within production turn as random intercept variance components. Barn-to-barn pig group variation was the largest VC for mortality (63.08%), when no predictors were included in the models. Predictors, such as pigs placed on quarters 2 and 3, low average entry weight, and shorter production turn length, were associated together with higher mortality. The explained proportion of variance due to these predictors was about 12.05% and the VC for barn, site, and production turn were 67.6%, 17.6%, and 14.8%, respectively. Barn-to-barn variation was also the largest VC for culling rate (46.2%), but the same predictor mentioned above explained only about 1.4% of the variation. The VC for barn, site, and production turn were 46.8%, 21.3%, and 31.8%, respectively. Since the variability among barns far exceeded the variability among sites, the barn should be used as experimental unit in studies with grower-finisher mortality, culling rate, or both, as outcome variables.     

Airborne gram-negative bacterial flora in animal houses

The concentration and the species composition of airborne gram-negative bacteria were studied in four cattle houses, one pig house and one poultry barn. On average only between 0.02 and 5.2% of the total number of culturable aerobic bacteria were identified as gram-negative bacteria. Obligate anaerobic gram-negative bacteria were not isolated at all. In the airborne gram-negative bacterial flora the following bacterial families dominated: the Enterobacteriaceae, the Pseudomonadaceae and the Neisseriaceae. Within the family of the Enterobacteriaceae the species Escherichia coli and Enterobacter agglomerans were predominant. In animal houses using straw as bedding material Ent. agglomerans was most frequent, whereas in animal houses without litter E. coli was mainly found. Airborne Neisseriaceae were isolated very frequently in cow barns with Acinetobacter lowffii as the primary species. Airborne Pseudomonadaceae were found in high concentrations during periods of high air humidity. The results presented may also give some indications on the origin and sources of airborne endotoxins in animal housing.     

Association of growth performance with atrophic rhinitis and pneumonia detected at slaughter in a conventional pig herd in Hungary

The influence of atrophic rhinitis (AR) and pneumonia on growth performance was assessed in a conventional farrow-to-finish pig farm affected by both diseases. All tested pigs (n = 138) were individually weighed at birth, at weaning, at moving to the growing/finishing unit, and at slaughtering. The extent (grade) of turbinate atrophy and lung consolidation attributable to pneumonia was determined in each pig at slaughter. A negative correlation was found between birth weight and the prevalence of nasal lesions at slaughter, suggesting that pigs born with smaller weight may be more susceptible to AR. The growth performance of the pigs also showed a negative correlation with the degree of turbinate atrophy. In the nursery period, the average daily gain (ADG) of pigs with moderate/severe turbinate atrophy was 13.3% lower than that of animals with healthy snouts. In the finishing period, pigs with mild AR lesions had an ADG reduction of 6.2%, while pigs with severe AR lesions had a significant, 9.4% reduction in ADG as compared to the AR-free pigs. The extent of weight gain reduction over the whole life cycle was very similar (approximately 6%) in the pigs having either AR or pneumonia alone. In those pigs where both respiratory diseases were present, their effects seemed to be added up (11.5%); however, nasal lesion scores and percentage of lung consolidation did not show statistically apparent interactive effects on growth performance.     

Activity Behavior of Horses Housed in Different Open Barn Systems

Housing conditions do not frequently meet the natural needs of horses. German and Swiss studies have shown that merely 16% of horses are kept in group housing systems, but even these vary greatly with different effects on horses’ behavior. The objective of the survey was to determine whether horses show increased activity in barns with various options for movements and functional elements. Free movement stables allow horses to live within a herd, to decide whether to be outside or inside the herd, and to enable them fresh air supply. Data from 25 horses kept in three different open barns (O1–O3) were compared with that from two active barns with functional elements (active barn 1 and active barn 2), for example, automatic feeder, with five horses each. Activity-Lying-Temperature-pedometers fastened to a rear leg of each horse were used to measure activity. Animal data were recorded throughout a test period of 10 days per barn. The results showed a median of 46 to 68 mean daily activity impulses per 10 minutes for horses in stables O1 to O3. In stables active barn 1 to active barn 2, this measure was exceeded considerably with medians of 77 and 151. The activity impulses in the stable systems were significantly different at an error level of α = 0.05. These results support previous studies and show that activity of horses depends on their opportunities for moving. The sectioning of a stable, placement of functional elements, and feeding frequency have considerable effects on the activity level of the horse. It is useful to integrate different functional areas in a group housing system.     

西门塔尔母牛在贵州舍饲条件下的适应性观察

对西门塔尔母牛进行了为期四年的饲养观察,对其生长情况和繁殖性能进行测定统计,结果表明:在圈养舍饲条件下,初生重平均为40.42kg,2岁平均日增重为0.64kg,2胎后平均体重为640.26kg,生长发育良好;平均繁殖成活率为69.17%,平均泌乳量为3285.99kg,患蹄病较多,圈养舍饲条件对其繁殖泌乳性能产生影响。     

A field trial to evaluate a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vaccine: effects on lung lesions and growth rates in swine.

A killed Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vaccine was evaluated in a single swine herd in which the farrowing barn and weaner rooms were on one Mycoplasma-free farm, while the growing and finishing barn was on a separate farm on which Mycoplasma was present. The study was carried out in a cohort of pigs born in a 12-week period. Pigs born in 6 of the 12 wk were vaccinated and the rest were left as controls. The vaccine was administered twice at approximately 3 and 6 wk of age. Carcass characteristics, lung lesions, and growth rates were recorded on 893, 390, and 220 pigs, respectively. The vaccine reduced the prevalence of pneumonic lesions in slaughter hogs from 69% to 36% (P < 0.001). It also appeared to reduce the prevalence of pleuritis from 20% to 13%, but the difference was only statistically significant at P = 0.07. The vaccine had no effects on carcass characteristics except that carcasses of vaccinated pigs were, on average, 1 kg heavier than those of nonvaccinated pigs, and a smaller percentage of vaccinated pigs were shipped "light" (carcass weight < 70 kg). Two methods were used to estimate the effect of the vaccine on growth rates (as measured by days to 80 kg carcass weight) resulting in estimates of 11 and 2 d reduction attributable to vaccination, respectively. The latter estimate was probably an underestimate for reasons discussed in the paper.     

Temperament assessments of lactating cows in three contexts and their applicability as management traits

The applicability of three behavioral assessments of lactating cows as management traits was verified. Flight responses to an approaching human (flight starting and walking distances, and flight walking speed) at pasture, entrance order into the milking parlour and step‐kick behavior to cup attachment were observed for 713 subject cows in six Australasian dairy farms. On all farms, cows were kept at pasture without any barn housing. Flight responses were measured once, and other assessments were recorded repeatedly for each subject cow. A principal component analysis was performed to verify whether these assessments appear to measure the same trait. A two‐way anova and correlation analyses were then used to test whether obtained principal components were affected by farm, age and milking stage of cows. Australian and some Japanese herd management systems were compared for flight distance using a one‐way anova and a multiple comparison test. Three behavioral assessments clustered in different principal components, indicating that these assessments did not appear to measure the same trait. Factor scores of four principal components were affected by farm (all, P < 0.01), and the scores of principal component 1, interpreted as fear of humans (r = ?0.16, P < 0.01), and component 2, interpreted as aversion to cup attachment (r = ?0.28, P < 0.01), were moderately correlated with age. These results emphasize the necessity of data standardization to reduce the non‐genetic variation resulting from these two affectors. The flight distance at pasture of herds in Australia (6.06 ± 2.85 m) was significantly (P < 0.05) different from the flight distances measured in paddocks (1.50 ± 0.82 m) and free‐stall barns (1.22 ± 1.09 m) in Japan. However, mean distances were not different between the Australian herds at pasture and the Japanese herds at pasture in tie‐stall barns (3.96 ± 2.16 m) or in a free‐stall barn (4.03 ± 1.79 m). This difference could be a result of the fact that only a single measurement was made, so that repeated measurement might improve the usefulness of flight distance as a management trait. In conclusion, it was verified that step‐kick behavior to cup attachment and flight responses to human approach were, although they have some affectors, applicable as objective management traits in lactating cows.     

Performance measured in pigs with pneumonia and housed in different environments

During an investigation of poor growth performance, rate of weight gain and feed efficiency were studied in pigs with pneumonia. During the study, pigs either were housed in an improved environment or remained at their home farm. In both environments, rate of gain tended to decrease in association with increasing severity of pneumonia. When pigs with similar extent of lung lesions were compared, growth performance of pigs housed in the improved environment was better than that of pigs on the home farm. However, growth performance of pigs with pneumonia affecting greater than 20% of lung tissue was equally poor in either environment. When type of housing and extent of pneumonia were included in a model for analysis of variance, housing had a highly significant (P = 0.003) effect on rate of gain, and pneumonia had a nonsignificant effect.     

Cryptosporidium Recovered from Musca domestica,Musca sorbens and Mango Juice Accessed by Synanthropic Flies in Bahirdar,Ethiopia

The study was conducted to determine the role of house flies, Musca domestica and Musca sorbens to carry Cryptosporidium species in natural environment and filth flies potential for contamination of food item they visited using acid‐fast stain technique. Cryptosporidium was identified from flies collected in dairy cow barns, butchery, market and defecating grounds. Musca domestica captured from dairy cow barns and M. sorbens from defecating ground were found carrying more oocyst of Cryptosporidium parvum. Oocyst load per fly for M. domestica and M. sorbens was 5.84 and 3.42, respectively. Flies’ population dynamics in each month had little relation to the monthly oocyst frequency, r = 0.06 and 0.02 for M. domestica and M. sorbens, respectively. Cryptosporidium species oocysts were isolated from frozen mango juice, which filth flies visited in dairy farm barn. Load of oocysts in the mango juice was dependent on time contact of flies with mango juice and more oocysts were recovered (P < 0.05) in mango juice samples accessed by filth flies for longer period. Role of filth flies to carry and deposit Cryptosporidium species oocyst for development of food‐borne cryptosporidiosis is signified.