Sampling Techniques for the Enumeration of Microorganisms in the Diverticulum of the Anterior Thoracic Air Sac of Chickens1

Abstract

The swab, excise, flush, and agar microbial sampling techniques were applied randomly to the air sac cavities of 130 healthy broiler chickens of 56 to 70 days of age when slaughtered. Samples were obtained from both nonscalded and scalded chickens. The scalded chickens were immersed in the scald water (49 +/- 0.5 C) for 120 sec immediately after severing the blood vessels from the outside at the base of the lower mandible. From these data, a selection was made of a sampling technique for the air sac cavity which would yield reproducible counts with the least amount of variation. The flush and swab technique did not differ significantly and had less variation than did the excise and agar techniques. Even though no significant differences existed between the flush and swab techniques, the flush technique might be preferred because of the closed system present during the time in which the sample is obtained. The method of expressing microbial concentration in the air sac cavity might best be as "per air sac."