Prevalence of Escherichia coli in retail poultry feeds in Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

Poultry feed manufacturing and distribution are confronted with feed microbial quality challenges arising from disease outbreaks traceable to contaminated feeds. Lack of feed biosecurity measures at sales depots, exposure of feeds for retailing, and unhygienic handling compromise the microbial quality of feeds. Feed could hence become a source of pathogenic microbes to poultry and humans. This study evaluated the prevalence of Escherichia coli in retail poultry feeds in three States of Southeastern Nigeria using a purposive sampling method. A total of 389 feed samples were collected from four feed types (broiler finisher, broiler starter, chick grower, and layer ration) belonging to 11 feed brands (coded A to K) from retail outlets in Umuahia (Abia State), Abakaliki (Ebonyi State) and Enugu (Enugu State) for the study. Escherichia coli was isolated from some of the feed samples following standard laboratory procedures. Samples from Abia were the most bacterial and E. coli positive (87.7 and 74.6%, respectively) while feed brands G and F (100%, respectively) followed by J and A (80.7 and 72.7%, respectively) were the most contaminated. No bacterial contaminant was detected in brand D while layer ration was the most contaminated feed type (76.8%). The source of samples was significantly related to the frequency of bacterial contamination (χ2: 68.473, p < 0.000 for State; and χ2: 92.765, p < 0.000 for feed brand). Feed brand and feed type did not affect E. coli colony count but colony counts were higher than the permissible level for coliforms in feeds, and values reported for feeds in intact bags. In conclusion, exposing feeds for retailing compromises feed microbial quality. Graded bagging of retail quantities would help to preserve the microbial quality of poultry feeds from factory to farm.