Use of water spray and extended drying time to lower bacterial numbers on soiled flooring from broiler transport coops

Abstract

Broiler transport coops soiled with Campylobacter-positive feces have been shown to facilitate cross-contamination of broilers. Washing and sanitizing coop surfaces do not always effectively eliminate bacteria. The objective of this study was to examine drying as a means of lowering bacterial numbers on transport coop flooring. Small squares (5 x 5 cm) of fiberglass flooring from transport coops were intentionally contaminated with 1 g of Campylobacter-positive broiler gut contents. Soiled floor squares were sprayed with water and allowed to dry for 15 min, 24 h, or 48 h. Unsprayed squares were examined at each time period as controls. All squares were sampled by cotton-tipped applicators that were cultured for Campylobacter, coliforms, and Escherichia coli. Sampling of unsprayed squares at 15 min yielded 7.3 log cfu of Campylobacter, 6.2 log cfu of coliforms and 5.9 log cfu of E. coli per floor square. Water spray alone resulted in a significantly lower number of organisms recovered: 4.1 log cfu Campylobacter, 3.6 log cfu coliform, and 3.2 log cfu E. coli per floor square. When water spray was followed by a 24-hour drying period, no Campylobacter, coliforms, or E. coli were detected on the floor surface. However, allowing unsprayed soiled flooring to simply dry for 24 or 48 h also resulted in no recovery of Campylobacter and very low numbers of coliforms and E. coli. A 24- or 48-hour drying period for fecal matter on broiler transport cage flooring may be a viable method to lower bacterial numbers on these surfaces.