Broiler Production Facilities Research Articles

Microbiological Indoor and Outdoor Air Quality in Chicken Fattening Houses.

This study was conducted at one of the largest poultry companies in Kuwait during November and December 2019 to evaluate the microbiological threats of Escherichia coli (APEC), Salmonella spp., and Aspergillus fumigatus to chickens in fattening houses by counting and identifying the microorganisms by culturing and pyrosequencing analysis. During the fattening cycle, the temperature and humidity ranged between 23.6°C and 29°C and 64.1% and 87.1%, respectively. The total bacterial population and Aspergillus fumigatus measured in the indoor and outdoor air exhibited a linear relationship during the fattening cycle. The total bacterial and Aspergillus concentrations determined during the cycle ranged between 150 and 2000 CFU/m3 and 0 and 1000 CFU/m3, respectively. E. coli and Salmonella spp. concentrations determined during the cycle ranged between 1 and 220 CFU/m3 and 4 and 110 CFU/m3, respectively. Pyrosequencing analysis of the air inside the houses at the end of the cycle revealed extensive biodiversity in the microorganisms, detecting 32 bacterial genera and 14 species. The identified species belonging to the genera Corynebacterium, Haemophilus, Streptococcus, Veillonella, and Aspergillus were identified as potentially affecting human and broiler health. The emission of potentially pathogenic bacteria to the outdoor environment from chicken housing can pose a considerable risk to human health and environmental microbial pollution. This study could guide the development of integrated control devices for monitoring microbes in broiler production facilities during chicken collection for transport to slaughterhouses.

Poultry litter physiochemical characterization based on production conditions for circular systems

Poultry litter is a useful product as a fertilizer, energy feedstock for thermochemical conversion, and a precursor for synthesis of adsorbents and catalysts. Detailed characterization of baseline properties is necessary for enhanced environmental and economic utilization of this valuable resource. Baseline physicochemical characterization was carried out at two broiler production facilities (Arkansas, PL1, and North Carolina, PL2). Greater concentrations of inorganic nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were obtained for PL1, suggesting greater nutrient value compared to PL2. PL2 had greater carbon content and water-holding capacity than PL1. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of PL1 and PL2 indicated a similarity between litters in terms of the presence of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen bonds. Both poultry litters had oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorous functional groups, as confirmed by infrared spectroscopy. Time of flight – secondary ion mass spectroscopy of negative ions also indicated similarity of the surface charge distribution between PL1 and PL2. Overall, poultry litters evaluated had similar surface chemistries, with nutrient composition varying based on rearing conditions, which has implications for downstream use in thermochemical conversion and other value-added products.

Potential for Ammonia Generation and Emission in Broiler Production Facilities in Brazil

Air quality is one of the main factors that must be guaranteed in animal production. However, the measurement of pollutants is still a problem in several countries because the available methods are costly and do not always apply to the reality of the constructive typology adopted, as in countries with a hot climate, which adopt predominantly open facilities. Thus, the objective of the present study was to develop predictive models for the potential generation and emission of ammonia in the production of broiler chickens with different types of litter, different reuse cycles and under different climatic conditions. Samples of poultry litter from thirty commercial aviaries submitted to different air temperatures were analyzed. The experiment was conducted and analyzed in a completely randomized design, following a factorial scheme. Models were developed to predict the potential for generation and emission of ammonia, which can be applied in facilities with ambient conditions of air temperature between 25 and 40 °C and with wood shaving bed with up to four reuse cycles and coffee husks bed with up to six reuse cycles. The developed and validated models showed high accuracy indicating that they can be used to estimate the potential for ammonia generation and emission.

Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer (Insecta, Coleoptera) in a single house of a broiler production facility as a potential source of pathogenic bacteria for broilers and humans.

Pest infestation in any stage can lead to a quality reduction in the finished products. This study aimed to detect Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., and Staphylococcus aureus in Alphitobius diaperinus adults, and in samples from broiler swabs, administered water and feed collected in a single house from a broiler production facility in central Italy. Three samplings were carried out, each collecting ninety adult beetles for microbial detection in the external, faecal and internal content; ten cloacal swab samples; and one sample of both administered feed and water. Microbiological cultures and biochemical identification were performed on suspected cultures and confirmed by species-specific PCRs. A. diaperinus was abundantly found near the windows, under the manger and in the corners of the facility. Salmonella enterica serovar Cholerasuis was found at the external surface of the beetles, while Staphylococcus xylosus and E.coli were in the faecal content. The latter micro-organism together with Staphylococcus lentus, S. xylosus and other staphylococcal species were detected in the internal microbiota. E.coli and Campylobacter spp. were observed in cloacal swabs, and S. xylosus in one feed sample. The study findings support evidence for Salmonella spp. and E.coli, and remark that adherence to sanitation rules and biosecurity procedures are required.

Restoration of anticoccidial sensitivity to a commercial broiler chicken facility in Canada

Increasing resistance of Eimeria species to anticoccidial medications is an issue in the broiler chicken industry. Using drug-sensitive strains in live-coccidiosis vaccines has been shown to improve anticoccidial effectiveness in US-based broiler production. In Canada, litter is removed between flocks, which differ from the US industry practice. Thus, we investigated the use of drug-sensitive vaccine strains in a Canadian broiler production facility with suspected anticoccidial resistance. Weekly fecal samples were collected from flocks before, during, and after vaccine seeding to determine oocyst shedding patterns; following the vaccine seeding, OPG counts from similar aged birds were lower than flocks before live-coccidiosis vaccine use. Eimeria species isolates, collected before and after vaccine seeding, were used in 2 anticoccidial sensitivity tests to evaluate their susceptibility to commercially available anticoccidial medications; a low-dose challenge to define parasite replication, and a high-dose challenge to monitor broiler performance. In both experiments, isolates collected after seeding were more susceptible to almost every anticoccidial medication evaluated compared with the isolates collected before seeding. These results demonstrate an improvement in sensitivity to many anticoccidials after the use of live-coccidiosis vaccines at this facility. However, the regulated removal of litter at the end of each flock required under Canadian broiler chicken production management rules could limit the establishment of vaccine-strain Eimeria species in broiler facilities and could shorten the longevity of improved drug sensitivity observed in this study.

Nutrient Removal Structures Using Locally-Sourced Iron and Aluminum By-Products Reduce Nutrient Runoff from Broiler Production Facilities

A common issue with filters designed to remove nutrients from runoff is their reduced effectiveness in high-flow conditions. To overcome this challenge, it was determined that nutrient removal from broiler-house fan dust could be more effective if nutrient removal was conducted at the nutrient source. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of containment trays (CTs) holding locally sourced by-products installed adjacent to broiler house fans at the University of Arkansas Savoy broiler production facility to capture nutrients released from dust during rainfall over four years (2013 to 2017). By-products used were locally sourced, iron-based red mud (RM) generated during the manufacture of steel belts for tires and alum-based drinking water treatment residual (WTR), where both materials have large phosphorus (P) sorption capacities. Four-year mean annual concentrations of dissolved P of through-flow from RM CTs were consistently below 0.7 mg·L-1 and below 1.6 mg·L-1 for WTR CT through-flow. This equated to an average 11- and 4-fold decrease for RM and WTR, relative to concentrations in runoff from same-sized plots adjacent to sidewall fans, demonstrating their potential to trap P at the source and decrease P runoff to nearby flowing waters. While there was no significant decline in RM or WTR effective-ness over the four-year study, further work needs to be conducted to determine the lifespan of CTs. Use of RM and WTR in CTs at poultry broiler production facilities, along with their subsequent land application, has the potential to reduce the amount of by-product materials that are currently landfilled.

Environmental adaptation and vertical dissemination of ESBL-/pAmpC-producing Escherichia coli in an integrated broiler production chain in the absence of an antibiotic treatment.

SummaryHigh prevalence numbers of extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase‐ (ESBL‐)/plasmid‐mediated AmpC beta‐lactamase‐ (pAmpC‐) producing Escherichia coli in broiler chicken and their distribution along the broiler production chain is an ongoing problem in food production. We, therefore, investigated resistant isolates along the broiler production chain to determine whether there is a constantly occurring direct vertical transmission of the ESBL‐/pAmpC‐producing E. coli from the parent flocks to their offspring or not. We, furthermore, analysed the isolates concerning the occurrence of virulence factors and their ability to form biofilms to estimate their potential to effectively colonize broiler chickens and/or persist and survive in the environment of the broiler production facilities. Using whole genome sequencing, we could show that ESBL‐/pAmpC‐producing E. coli were likely transferred in a step‐wise process along the broiler production chain but not directly from the parent flock to the fattening flock with every single batch of offspring chickens. Additionally, resistant E. coli strains showing an extraintestinal pathogenic genotype as well as high numbers of virulence‐associated genes including the production of curli fibres and cellulose have high capabilities to persist and spread in the broiler production chain.

Effects of two litter amendments on air NH3 levels in broiler closed-houses.

ObjectiveHigh NH3 emissions from poultry houses are reported to have negative impacts on health, welfare and safety of birds and humans, and on the environment. Objective of the present study was to determine the effects of two litter amendments on the NH3 levels in broiler closed houses under hot-humid conditions.MethodsGiving a completely randomize design, nine closed houses, each housed 32,500 birds on paddy husk litter, were randomly allocated into two treatment (Mizuho; a bacterial culture mix and Rydall OE; an enzymatic biocatalyst) and control groups. NH3 levels were determined thrice a day (0600, 1200, and 1800 h), at three heights from the litter surface (30, 90, and 150 cm), at 20 predetermined locations of a house, from day 1 to 41.ResultsRydall significantly reduced the NH3 level compared to control and Mizuho. NH3 levels at 30 cm were significantly higher than that of 90 and 150 cm. The NH3 levels at 30 cm height were higher than 25 ppm level from day 9, 11, and 13 in Mizuho, control, and Rydall groups, respectively to day 41. NH3 levels at 150 cm height were higher than maximum threshold limit of 50 ppm for human exposure from day 12, 14, and 15 in Mizuho, control, and Rydall groups, respectively to day 33. Being significantly different among each other, the NH3 level was highest and lowest at 0600 and 1800 h. Litter amendments had no significant effects on growth performance. Rydall significantly increased the litter N content on day 24.ConclusionIt was concluded that the NH3 levels of closed house broiler production facilities under tropical condition are so high that both birds and workers are exposed to above recommended levels during many days of the growing period. Compared to microbial culture, the enzymatic biocatalyst was found to be more effective in reducing NH3 level.

Assessing Air Velocity Distribution in Three Sizes of Commercial Broiler Houses During Tunnel Ventilation

Abstract. Convective cooling is a critical management strategy for maintaining an environment that promotes production efficiency, thermal comfort, and animal well-being in commercial broiler houses. Variations in house size, design, and equipment configuration contribute greatly to the air velocity distribution within the facility. This study assessed total airflow, air velocity distribution, and quantified the floor area in three facilities experiencing insufficient air velocity for maintenance of production efficiency, thermal comfort, and animal well-being. Test facility 1 was an 18.3 × 170.7 m solid side-wall broiler house, test facility 2 was a 15.24 × 144.8 m solid side-wall broiler house, and test facility 3 was a 12.19 × 121.9 m curtain side-wall broiler house. Total airflow of each facility, measured with a Fan Assessment and Numeration System, was 512,730, 389,495, and 329,270 m3 h-1 for test facilities 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Air velocity distribution patterns were characterized in each house with a Scalable Environment Assessment System (SEAS) and spatial statistics. The air velocity distributions within the test facilities were variable, with notable maxima immediately downstream of the tunnel inlets, which serve as a well-defined vena contracta, and local minima near the leading end of the evaporative pads and the exhaust fans. Equipment within the facilities had an impact on the air velocity distribution by creating reduced cross-sectional areas that resulted in localized increases in air velocity. The percentage of total bird-level floor area in each facility experiencing air velocities below 1.5 m s-1 was 14.3%, 20.7%, and 10.0% for test facilities 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The effective design velocity (Ved) was calculated from total airflow using the measured building cross-sectional area. The Ved measured 2.97, 2.45, and 2.34 m s-1 for test facilities 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Mean cross-sectional air velocity (Vcs) was calculated from SEAS data and normalized using each facility’s Ved to account for differences in building size for comparison. Test facility 1, the largest of the three houses, generated substantially higher Vcs/Ved than test facilities 2 and 3. Test facilities 2 and 3 maintained a larger proportion of Vcs above Ved than test facility 1. Test facility 1 showed 26.5% of the total house length below Ved, while test facilities 2 and 3 had only 20.8% and 17.5%, respectively, of the total house length below Ved. The lower-velocity regions were due to the length of the evaporative cooling pad inlet and the use of tunnel doors, and the exhaust fan placement on the side-walls in test facility 1 created an additional pronounced low-velocity area. Placement of tunnel ventilation fans on the end-wall of the facility, rather than the side-wall, eliminated the low-velocity region at the exhaust end of the facility. Modifications to current practices for broiler production facility construction and evaporative cooling pad inlet installation would be required to minimize the low-velocity region at the inlet end of these facilities. Consideration of house width and physical arrangement of the air inlets, tunnel fans, and internal equipment are critical for improving the uniformity of air velocity in commercial broiler houses. Keywords: Air velocity, Anemometer, Broiler house, FANS, Tunnel ventilation.

Effects of color temperatures (Kelvin) of LED bulbs on blood physiological variables of broilers grown to heavy weights

Light-emitting diode (LED) lighting is being used in the poultry industry to reduce energy usage in broiler production facilities. However, limited data are available comparing efficacy of different spectral distribution of LED bulbs on blood physiological variables of broilers grown to heavy weights (>3 kg). The present study evaluated the effects of color temperature (Kelvin) of LED bulbs on blood physiological variables of heavy broilers in 2 trials with 4 replicates/trial. The study was a randomized complete block design. Four light treatments consisted of 3 LED light bulbs [2,700 K, (Warm-LED); 5,000 K, (Cool-LED-#1); 5,000 K, (Cool-LED-#2)] and incandescent light (ICD, standard) from 1 to 56 d age. A total of 960 1-day-old Ross × Ross 708 chicks (30 males/room 30 females/room) were equally and randomly distributed among 16 environmentally controlled rooms at 50% RH. Each of the 4 treatments was represented by 4 rooms. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. All treatment groups were provided the same diet. Venous blood samples were collected on d 21, 28, 42, and 56 for immediate analysis of selected physiological variables and plasma collection. In comparison with ICD, Cool-LED-#1 had greater (P < 0.05) effects on pH, partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2), partial pressure of O2 (pO2), saturated O2 (sO2), and K+. However, all these acid–base changes remained within the normal venous acid–base homeostasis and physiological ranges. In addition, no effect of treatments was observed on HCO3−, hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), Na+, Ca2+, Cl−, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (McHc), osmolality, and anion gap. Moreover, blood glucose concentrations were not affected by treatments. This study shows that the 3 LED light bulbs evaluated in this study may be suitable for replacement of ICD light sources in commercial poultry facilities to reduce energy cost and optimize production efficiency without inducing physiological stress on broilers grown to heavy weights.

Canonical discrimination of the effect of a new broiler production facility on soil chemical profiles as related to current management practices.

The effect dirt-floored broiler houses have on the underlying native soil, and the potential for contamination of the ground water by leaching under the foundation, is an understudied area. This study examines alterations in fifteen quantitative soil parameters (Ca, Cu, electrical conductivity, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, NO3, organic matter, P, pH, S, soil moisture and Zn) in the underlayment of a newly constructed dirt-floored broiler house over the first two years of production (Native through Flock 11). The experiment was conducted near NW Robertson County, Texas, where the native soil is a fine, smectitic thermic Udertic Paleustalfs and the slopes range from zero to three percent. Multiple samples were collected from under each of three water and three feed lines the length of the house, in a longitudinal study during February 2008 through August 2010. To better define the relationship between the soil parameters and sampling times, a canonical discriminant analysis approach was used. The soil profiles assembled into five distinctive clusters corresponding to time and management practices. Results of this work revealed that the majority of parameters increased over time. The management practices of partial and total house clean-outs markedly altered soil profiles the house underlayment, thus reducing the risk of infiltration into the ground water near the farm. This is important as most broiler farms consist of several houses within a small area, so the cumulative ecological impact could be substantial if not properly managed.

Effects of color temperatures (kelvin) of LED bulbs on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and ocular development indices of broilers grown to heavy weights

Limited data are available for comparing light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs that are currently available in commercial broiler production facilities. We evaluated the effects of color temperatures (kelvin) of LED bulbs on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and ocular development indices of broilers grown to heavy weights (>3.0 kg). The experiment had a randomized complete block design. Four treatments consisted of 3 LED light bulbs (2,700 [warm LED]; 5,000 [cool LED 1]; and 5,000 K [cool LED 2]) and incandescent light (2,010 K [ICD], standard) from day zero to 56 d of age. A total of 960 Ross × Ross 708 day-old chicks were equally and randomly distributed into 16 environmentally controlled rooms at 50% RH (30 males and 30 females/room). Thus, each of the 4 treatments was represented by 4 rooms (4 replicates) per trial. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. All birds were fed the same diet. Ocular specimens were collected on d 42 for development and histopathologic examination. Blood samples were collected on d 21, 28, 42, and 56 to determine plasma corticosterone. On d 56, twenty birds from each room (10 males and 10 females) were processed to determine weights and yields. The BW and BW gain (BWG), live weight, and carcass weights of birds reared under cool LED 1 were different in comparison to birds reared under ICD (P < 0.05). However, feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and mortality were not affected by treatments. The treatments did not affect fat, breast and tender weights, and yields. In addition, ocular development indices and plasma corticosterone concentrations were not affected by treatments, suggesting the LED light bulbs we evaluated did not compromise the welfare of the birds. It was concluded that cool LED 1 may be a better potential replacement light source in comparison to ICD on performance, but it may be equal when compared to other LED light sources examined in this study.

Effect of Measurement Density on Characterizing Air Velocity Distribution in Commercial Broiler Houses

Abstract. Increasing air velocity of tunnel ventilation systems in commercial broiler facilities improves production efficiency. As a consequence, many housing design specifications require a minimum air velocity in the house. Air velocities are typically assessed with a hand-held anemometer at random locations, rather than systematic traverses. Simultaneous measurement of air velocity at multiple locations in the facility would provide a more accurate estimation of air velocity distribution. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of measurement density on accuracy of estimating air velocity distribution in a tunnel-ventilated broiler production facility. An array of 40 anemometers was placed on a series of transverse cross-sections in a commercial broiler production facility with curtain sidewalls (no birds present) measuring 12.8 A— 121.9 m. The house was equipped with ten 121.9 cm exhaust fans. Cross-sectional air velocity measurements were taken along the length of the house in increments of 3.05 m axially. Data were sampled at 1 Hz for 2 min; three 2 min subsamples were obtained at each cross-section. Horizontal plane air velocity distribution maps were generated using 12.19, 6.10, and 3.05 m axial measurement distances between cross-sections at 0.46 m above the litter. Vertical plane air velocity distribution maps were created using 10, 20, and 40 symmetrical sampling points from the original data set. Cross-validation analysis revealed that higher spatial measurement density in the axial direction yielded a higher correlation between observed and predicted values (79%) and lower mean squared prediction error (MSPE; 0.10 m s -1 ) when compared to decreased sampling densities. Vertical cross-section measurement density comparisons showed a reduction in MSPE and an increase in correlation between observed and predicted values at higher sampling densities in all cases tested excluding one. In the case of improved interpolation results with fewer measurement points, the cross-section demonstrated high variation in air velocity and velocity values being very low. Axial cross-sectional measurement distances of ≤3.05 m and vertical plane measurement densities of ≥40 measurement points should be used to accurately characterize air velocity distribution in a 12.8 A— 121.9 m broiler production facility. Although more sensors and time are required to collect 40-point cross-sections at 3.05 m, the improved visualization allows better identification of distribution effects caused by equipment placement in the facility.

The Behavioral Preferences and Performance of Female Broilers under Unevenly Distributed Yellow LED Lights with Various Intensities

<abstract> <bold><sc>Abstract.</sc></bold> Light-emitting diode (LED) light sources show a high potential for replacing traditional incandescent lamps in broiler production facilities. LEDs offer clear advantages in energy efficiency. However, the application of LED technology to broiler production is restricted because of the absence of research about its uneven distribution of light intensity and subsequent impacts on broilers. This study investigated the effect of unevenly distributed yellow LED lights with different light intensities on the behavioral preferences and performance characteristics of female broilers. Four pens were developed to provide two unevenly distributed lighting environments with maximum light intensities (MLIs) of 90 and 60 lx in a study including replicates. Each pen consisted of four subzones characterized by their light intensity, including three subzones of high intensity (HI), medium intensity (MI), and low intensity (LI) in the lighting area (LA) and one non-lighting area (NA). Thirty female broilers were reared in each pen and were free to eat, drink, and stay in any subzone. No significant difference between the 90 and 60 lx experimental groups was found in feed conversion ratio (FCR), body weight (BW), uniformity, or growth ratio. The birds in both groups tended to drink water (p < 0.05) in the LI and MI subzones during the first three weeks. The preference of the birds then shifted to the MI and HI subzones with the growth of the birds despite substantial fluctuations within replicates. In both groups, feed intake was less affected than water intake by the uneven distribution of light intensity. The birds showed a transient feeding preference for LI and HI at young and old ages, respectively. The video data demonstrated that the birds showed a diurnal preference for LI (<2 lx) and a nocturnal preference for MI. The daily overall results showed higher preferences for NA in both groups. The preference-based lighting regimes indicated that the birds need less lighting time during the daytime than the nighttime. This study can provide further knowledge about broilers’ performance and behavior patterns in LED lighting environments, thus providing reference information for the configuration of LED arrays in commercial poultry production.

Effects of color temperature (Kelvin) of LED bulbs on blood physiological variables of broilers grown to heavy weights (674.1)

Light‐emitting diode (LED) has been used in the poultry industry to reduce energy usage in broiler production facilities. However, limited data are available comparing efficacy of different wavelength of LED bulbs. The present study evaluated the effects of color temperature (Kelvin) of LED bulbs on blood physiological variables of broilers grown to heavy weights. The experimental was a randomized complete block design. Four treatments consisted of 3 LED light bulbs (2700k, Warm [LED‐1], 3500k, [LED‐2,], 5000k, Cool [LED‐3]) and incandescent light (ICD, control) from 0 to 56 d of age along with 5 lx intensity starting from 22 to 56 d of age. Chicks were equally and randomly distributed into 16 environmentally‐controlled rooms at 50% RH. Each of the 4 treatments were represented by 4 rooms with 4 replicates. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Venous blood samples were collected on d 21 (base line) and d 56 of age. Treatments and sex had significant (P 蠄 0.05) effect on BW, pH, pCO2, pO2, and sO2. All these acid‐base changes are still within the normal acid‐base homeostasis and physiological ranges. Plasma corticosterone was not affected by treatments. This study shows the positive impact on profits to commercial poultry industry that are using LED light sources in comparison to ICD. It was concluded that LED light sources are better potential light source for broiler production without inducing stress on broiler health.

Antibiotic Resistance and Diversity of Salmonella enterica Serovars Associated with Broiler Chickens

The objective of this study was to analyze the antibiotic resistance phenotype and genotype of Salmonella isolated from broiler production facilities. A total of 193 Salmonella isolates recovered from commercial farms in British Columbia, Canada, were evaluated. Susceptibility to antibiotics was determined with the Sensititre system. Virulence and antibiotic resistance genes were detected by PCR assay. Genetic diversity was determined by pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing. Seventeen serovars of Salmonella were identified. The most prevalent Salmonella serovars were Kentucky (29.0% of isolates), Typhimurium (23.8%), Enteritidis (13.5%), and Hadar (11.9%); serovars Heidelberg, Brandenburg, and Thompson were identified in 7.7, 4.1, and 3.6% of isolates, respectively. More than 43% of the isolates were simultaneously resistant to ampicillin, amoxicillin–clavulanic acid, ceftiofur, cefoxitim, and ceftriaxone. This β-lactam resistance pattern was observed in 33 (58.9%) of the Salmonella Kentucky isolates; 2 of these isolates were also resistant to chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfisoxazole, and tetracycline. Genes associated with resistance to aminoglycosides (aadA1, aadA2, and strA), β-lactams (blaCMY-2, blaSHV, and blaTEM), tetracycline (tetA and tetB), and sulfonamide (sul1) were detected among corresponding resistant isolates. The invasin gene (invA) and the Salmonella plasmid virulence gene (spvC) were found in 97.9 and 25.9% of the isolates, respectively, with 33 (71.7%) of the 46 Salmonella Typhimurium isolates and 17 (65.4%) of the 26 Salmonella Enteritidis isolates carrying both invA and spvC. PGFE typing revealed that the antibiotic-resistant serovars were genetically diverse. These data confirm that broiler chickens can be colonized by genetically diverse antibiotic-resistant Salmonella isolates harboring virulence determinants. The presence of such strains is highly relevant to food safety and public health.

Evaluation of Electrostatic Particle Ionization and BioCurtain™ Technologies to Reduce Air Pollutants from Broiler Houses

<abstract><title><italic>Abstract. </italic></title> The continuing growth of poultry production, along with the increasing urbanization of rural areas, is leading to more odor-related complaints from neighboring communities and more scrutiny from policy makers. It is, therefore, in the best interest of poultry producers to look at control methods for abating odors. Previous studies have shown that substantial amounts of volatile and odorous compounds are adsorbed and transported by dust particles. Thus, by reducing the amount of dust emitted from poultry facilities such as broiler houses, odor may be reduced as well. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two commercially available control technologies (BioCurtain™ and electrostatic particle ionization (EPI) system) in reducing the total suspended particulate matter (TSP), particulate matter <underline><</underline>10 µm in diameter (PM₁₀), ammonia (NH₃), and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) emitted from a broiler facility in Texas. The study was conducted at a broiler production facility in two identically designed, ventilated, and managed broiler houses where one served as the treatment house and the other, the control. Measurements were done on two consecutive days each in September and December 2010. BioCurtain™ was tested independently on the first day and in combination with and the EPI on the second day. Reductions in the NH₃ and H₂S emission rates by as much as 8% (1040 vs. 943 g/h for NH₃ and 9.2 vs. 8.4 g/h for H₂S) and by as much as 43% (396 vs. 227 g/h) for the TSP emission rates were achieved with the BioCurtain™. The EPI system reduced the NH₃, H₂S, and TSP emission rates by as much as 17%, 34% and 39%, respectively. Economic analysis showed that operating the automated EPI and BioCurtain™ system for one 14 m wide and 152 m long broiler building housing an average of 23,000 birds will cost $0.06 per bird.

AVALIAÇÃO DA RELAÇÃO C/N E DA QUALIDADE DO COMPOSTO PRODUZIDO EM LEIRAS DE COMPOSTAGEM DE CARCAÇA E DIFERENTES CAMAS DE CRIATÓRIO DE FRANGOS

Objetivou-se, com a realização deste trabalho, avaliar as concentrações de carbono orgânico e nitrogênio total e a qualidade do composto produzido em leiras de compostagem de carcaça e diferentes camas de criatório de frangos. O material orgânico foi compostado em leiras estáticas com aeração forçada positiva (LEA), apresentando os seguintes tratamentos: LEA 01 - leira contendo bagaço de cana-de-açúcar, cama de frango e carcaças de frango trituradas; e LEA 02 - leira com palha de café, cama de frango e carcaças de frango trituradas. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, pôde-se concluir que, durante todo o período de compostagem, os valores de COfo do material contido na LEA 02 apresentaram-se superiores aos obtidos na LEA 01; houve perdas expressivas de N tanto no material coletado na leira que continha bagaço de cana-de-açúcar (65%) como no material da leira que continha palha de café (68%). No entanto, durante o processo de compostagem, a perda de N foi maior no material que compunha a LEA 01 que no da LEA 02; todos os atributos analisados nas duas leiras atenderam aos padrões estabelecidos pelo Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (MAPA) do Brasil, para comercialização do material composto orgânico.

Ammonia concentrations downstream of broiler operations

SUMMARY Within broiler production facilities, NH3 concentrations have always been of concern from a bird performance and worker health standpoint. However, NH3 emitted from poultry houses is receiving increased attention from the environmental and community nuisance perspectives. Studies on NH3 emissions from poultry operations found within the literature do not address how NH3 disperses or the actual concentrations observed at varying distances downwind from poultry houses. The objective of this study was to measure downwind NH3 concentrations emitted from broiler houses when ventilation rates would be at a maximum. Open-path laser spectrometers were utilized for this study and for period 1 were placed 100, 200, and 300 ft from the houses from 28 to 49 d and in period 2 were placed at 100, 200, and 500 ft from 50 to 56 d. Data were collected during the last 4 wk of a 56-d grow-out cycle in 2 periods during a summer flock on a 4-house broiler farm located in northeastern Georgia. Ammonia concentrations were lower as distance from the houses increased, with NH3 levels at 100, 200, 300, and 500 ft being less than 1 ppm in approximately 60, 75, 85, and 90% of the observations, respectively. Ammonia concentrations extending to 100 ft from the houses were influenced by the tunnel fans themselves. Wind direction and wind speed were the factors that significantly influenced downstream NH3 concentrations beyond 100 ft. At no time did measured NH3 levels meet or exceed established Occupational Safety and Health Administration-US Environmental Protection Agency NH3 odor-detection threshold values during this study.

Assessment of repeated application of poultry litter on phosphorus and nitrogen dynamics in loblolly pine: Implications for water quality

The Southeastern United States has a robust broiler industry that generates substantial quantities of poultry litter as waste. It has historically been applied to pastures close to poultry production facilities, but pollution of watersheds with litter-derived phosphorus and to a lesser extent nitrogen have led to voluntary and in some areas regulatory restrictions on application rates to pastures. Loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda L.) forests are often located in close proximity to broiler production facilities, and these forests often benefit from improved nutrition. Accordingly, loblolly pine forests may serve as alternative land for litter application. However, information on the influence of repeated litter applications on loblolly pine forest N and P dynamics is lacking. Results from three individual ongoing studies were summarized to understand the effects of repeated litter applications, litter application rates, and land use types (loblolly pine forest and pasture) on N and P dynamics in soil and soil water. Each individual study was established at one of three locations in the Western Gulf Coastal Plain region. Annual applications of poultry litter increased soil test P accumulation of surface soils in all three studies, and the magnitude of increase was positively and linearly correlated with application rates and frequencies. In one study that was established at a site with relatively high soil test P concentrations prior to poultry litter application, five annual litter applications of 5 Mg ha −1 and 20 Mg ha −1 also increased soil test P accumulation in subsurface soils to a depth of up to 45 cm. Soil test P accumulations were greater in surface soils of loblolly pine stands than in pastures when both land use types received similar rates of litter application. In one study which monitored N dynamics, lower soil organic N, potential net N mineralization, potential net nitrification, and soil water N was found in loblolly pine stands than pastures after two annual litter applications. However, increases in potential net N mineralization, net nitrification, and soil water N with litter application were more pronounced in loblolly pine than in pasture soils. Loblolly pine plantations can be a viable land use alternative to pastures for poultry litter application, but litter application rate and frequency as well as differences in nutrient cycling dynamics between pine plantations and pastures are important considerations for environmentally sound nutrient management decisions.