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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #194858
Title: PREVALENCE OF CAMPYLOBACTER AND SALMONELLA IN LAYING HENS IN CAGE HIGH-RISE, CAGE MANURE-BELT AND FLOOR AVIARY HOUSING SYSTEMS

Author
item WESLEY, IRENE
item TRAMPEL, DW - VET DIAG/PROD ANIMAL MED
item XIN, H - AGRI & BIOSYSTEM, ISU
item GREEN, A - AGARI & BIOSYSTEM, ISU

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/19/2007
Publication Date: 4/19/2007
Citation: Wesley, I.V., Trampel, D., Xin, H., Green, A. 2007. Prevalence of Campylobacter and Salmonella in laying hens in cage high-rise, cage manure-belt and floor aviary housing systems. [abstract]. 1st Annual IFSS Symposium. Paper No. B103.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Previous reports have shown the frequency of Campylobacter spp. in turkeys as well as in organic and conventionally raised broilers. However, the prevalence of Campylobacter in table egg chickens maintained in different housing systems is unknown. The objective of this research was to compare the prevalence of Campylobacter in three types of egg layer housing systems: a) buildings in which hens are confined but kept on the ground (n=4 flocks); b) high-rise buildings with chickens in cages and a manure pit beneath the chickens (n=4 flocks) and c) buildings with chickens in cages and a manure belt beneath the chickens (n=4 flocks). Four flocks were selected for each of the 3 housing categories and 10 birds from each of the four flocks were randomly selected to yield a total of 40 birds per housing type. Birds were humanely euthanized and ceca were immediately removed and screened for Campylobacter and Salmonella. Following enrichment and selective plating to Campy Cefex agar, presumptive Campylobacter colonies were identified to the species level by a multiplex PCR. The commercial BAX system was used for screening Salmonella. When the three housing types were compared, the prevalence of Campylobacter spp., especially C. coli, was significantly higher in birds which were confined but kept on the ground (p<0.05). No such differences were seen among flocks in the distribution of C. jejuni or in Salmonella.