Differences in fungal contamination of broiler litter between summer and winter fattening periods.

Mario Ostović,Ivana Sabolek,Željko Pavičić,Kristina Matković,Matija Kovačić,Sven Menčik,Danijela Horvatek Tomić,Ivica Ravić,Anamaria Ekert Kabalin

doi:10.2478/aiht-2021-72-3508

Mario Ostović, Ivana Sabolek + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.2478/aiht-2021-72-3508

Copy DOI

Abstract

This study aimed to compare fungal contamination of poultry litter between warm and cold seasons. It was carried out in commercial production conditions over two five-week fattening periods: one in the summer (July-August) and one in the winter (December-January). Broilers were reared on a litter composed of chopped straw and sawdust. Litter fungal concentration and composition were investigated weekly, along with litter temperature, moisture, and pH. Litter concentration of total fungi increased over both fattening periods, with no differences in median concentrations between them. Season also had no effect on yeast, Aspergillus section Nigri, and Cladosporium, Fusarium, and Rhizopus spp. concentrations, while the Aspergillus section Flavi and Aspergillus spp. combined showed higher concentrations in the summer, and Mucor and Penicillium spp. in the winter. Total fungal concentration highly correlated with litter temperature, moisture, and pH, regardless of the season. Our findings can be useful in the assessment and control of potential harmful effect of fungi on the health of poultry and poultry farm workers.

Highlights

This study aimed to compare fungal contamination of poultry litter between warm and cold seasons
The aim of our study was to get a broader picture of fungal contamination by investigating seasonal fungal flora in poultry litter and test the following hypotheses: (i) the season will influence total fungal concentrations and composition in the litter, and (ii) fungal concentrations will depend on other parameters of litter quality, such as temperature, moisture, and pH
Even though the five-week fattening periods in our study were shorter than in the above studies, and higher litter moisture and pH were recorded in the last week of both periods, the comparison makes sense, as according to Milanov et al [25] microorganism growth in broiler litter reaches its peak in about one month of fattening, after which it declines and reaches steady levels

Summary

Introduction

This study aimed to compare fungal contamination of poultry litter between warm and cold seasons It was carried out in commercial production conditions over two five-week fattening periods: one in the summer (July-August) and one in the winter (December-January). High moisture leads to litter caking that favours ammonia release, whereas low moisture favours respiratory problems due to high levels of dust that carries microorganisms, including fungal spores [3, 9]. Another crucial condition for the biochemical process of litter ripening is litter temperature, which depends on air temperature in a broiler house [7, 10]. Prevention is important as a way to minimise zoonosis implications [16,17,18,19]

Objectives

Results

Conclusion