THE RELATIONSHIPS OF SALMONELLAE FROM INFECTED BROILER FLOCKS, TRANSPORT CRATES OR PROCESSING PLANTS TO CONTAMINATION OF EVISCERATED CARCASSES

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  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 46  (3) , 272-278
Abstract
Three flocks raised for broiler or roaster performance tests were studied to determine the incidence and sources of salmonellae during the growing period, transport and processing and to relate these to contamination of processed carcasses. Day old chicks in 2 of the tests, (tests IV and V), were treated with a culture of intestinal anaerobes derived from mature chickens. The incidence of salmonellae during the growing period was too low to permit any conclusions about the efficacy of this culture in preventing Salmonella infection, but it had no adverse effect on flock performance. Carcasses from all flocks were contaminated with salmonellae. Although the test IV flock was raised free of salmonellae, 46% of the carcasses tested from this flock were contaminated. The apparent source was the transport crates, 99% of which yielded salmonellae before the flock was loaded. In test V, 92% of the carcasses tested yielded salmonellae. The apparent sources were flock infection (apparently originating from the parent flock), contaminated crates, spread during transport and plant contamination. The flock of test VI was infected with S. albany and 54% of the carcasses tested were contaminated with this serovar. Carcasses of chicks infected early in life were more likely to be contaminated than those of chickens which contacted salmonellae later in the growing period.