Decontamination of Poultry Transport Cages

Abstract

Research has shown that broiler transport cages are an important bacteriological link between broiler production and processing facilities. Development of an adequate disinfection system is needed to eliminate or decrease the level of Salmonella entering the processing plant. A laboratory-sized model to simulate actual field conditions was designed and constructed. Sample pieces of contaminated poultry crating were tested in the system at different water temperatures, with and without sodium hypochlorite disinfectant, and with and without the presence of organic matter in the water bath. Regression equations were developed to estimate the Salmonella kill on different cage construction materials (i.e., steel, fiberglass, and wood). Experimental results indicated that varying amounts of sodium hypochlorite at different water temperatures were needed to kill Salmonella on different materials. Galvanized steel pieces were decontaminated at 55 C and 500 ppm Clorox; fiberglass pieces at 55 C and 1000 ppm Clorox and wood pieces were not decontaminated under the conditions tested.