Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » College Station, Texas » Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center » Food and Feed Safety Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #146202
Title: SUPPLEMENTATION OF AN EXPERIMENTAL CHLORATE PRODUCT IN BROILER DRINKING WATER PRIOR TO SLAUGHTER REDUCES SALMONELLA

Author
item Burnham, Matthew
item Byrd Ii, James - Allen
item MCEYNOLDS, JACK - TX A&M UNIVERSITY
item Anderson, Robin
item Kubena, Leon
item Genovese, Kenneth - Ken
item Jung, Yong Soo
item Nisbet, David

Submitted to: Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/7/2003
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of an experimental chlorate product (ECP) water supplementation procedure 1 week prior to slaughter on the reduction of Salmonella in the crop and ceca of market-age broilers, and its subsequent effects on performance. At 6 wk of age, one hundred and sixty broilers were randomly assigned to eight groups of twenty birds and placed in floor pens containing pine litter. Prior to placement, each bird was orally challenged with 10**9 Salmonella Typhimurium (ST). Seven days prior to slaughter and at each day thereafter, one randomly assigned group of birds was provided 1x ECP (containing 15mM chlorate ion equivalent) added to the drinking water for the remainder of the week. In essence, birds began to receive ECP in their water supply at either 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 d prior to slaughter. Performance variables investigated were BW, water and feed consumption, feed conversion, and mortality. Crop and cecal contents were aseptically collected and spread on BGA plates to enumerate ST. Birds exposed to ECP for 4-7 d consumed significantly more water than those not exposed or exposed to ECP for 1-3 d. Litter samples from the pens of birds exposed to ECP for extended periods of time had significantly higher moisture content than birds not exposed or exposed for fewer days. Litter moisture significantly increased with extended days of exposure to ECP. ECP supplementation in the drinking water of broilers at 4-7 d prior to slaughter significantly reduced the incidence of birds positive for ST in the crop and also significantly reduced ST 1-2 log in the crop and ceca when compared to those not exposed or exposed to ECP for 1-3 d. These results indicate that ECP water supplementation prior to slaughter effectively reduces Salmonella in broilers, and may potentially reduce the risk of contaminating poultry products. ECP supplemented in the drinking water of broilers may provide a novel intervention strategy that effectively reduces Salmonella in market age broilers.