Integrated Broiler Operations Research Articles

Sources and Movement of Salmonella through Integrated Poultry Operations: A Multistate Epidemiological Investigation

The prevalence of Salmonella from numerous sources in 32 integrated broiler operations of high- and low-performing broiler houses was characterized from four states across four seasons. Previous studies of Salmonella in broilers have been limited in scope, offering only a snapshot of pathogen prevalence as seen on a small number of individual farms. Twenty-six different sample types were collected from the hatchery to the end of processing, and Salmonella was found in all sample types. A total of 10,740 samples were analyzed for Salmonella, and 973 (9.1%) of these samples, including 49 of 798 (6.1%) carcass rinse samples, were Salmonella positive. Hatchery transport pads (389 of 765, 50.8%), flies (28 of 150, 18.7%), drag swabs (57 of 402, 14.2%), and boot swabs (20 of 167, 12%) were samples from which Salmonella was most frequently isolated. Thirty-six different serotypes were identified, and the most frequently encountered serotypes were Salmonella Senftenberg, Salmonella Thompson, and Salmonella Montevideo. Determining critical contaminating sources and following the movement of Salmonella through integrated poultry operations will help researchers and the industry develop practical intervention strategies.

An Atypical Fowl Pox Outbreak in Broilers in Southern Brazil

An unusual fowl pox outbreak occurred in two integrated broiler operations. The uncommon characteristic of this outbreak was that the pox lesions were manifested in the feathered parts of the body, mainly in the posterior dorsal area and external part of the thigh. Diagnosis was made by means of histopathology and virus isolation. Severe losses were incurred at the processing plant as a consequence of condemnation due to dermatitis. Vaccination of day-old chicks with mild fowl pox vaccine combined with Marek's disease (HVT) vaccine in the area of the outbreak appeared to be important in controlling the disease.

Sensitivity of Avian Eimeria spp. to Seven Chemical and Five Ionophore Anticoccidials in Five Belgian Integrated Broiler Operations

Coccidia were isolated from 122 Belgian broiler farms without clinical coccidiosis. Shuttle programs including robenidin or nicarbazine in the starter (7-14 days) followed by an ionophore or diclazuril in the grower ration were most commonly used. Out of 215 coccidiosis-positive groups, 146 Eimeria acervulina, 65 E. maxima, and 88 E. tenella isolates were tested without further laboratory propagation in 17 sensitivity profiles. For each profile, oocytes were pooled from 9 +/- 4 farms (mean +/- SD) that used the same anticoccidial program and that belonged to the same integrated broiler operation. Each suspension contained an equal number of isolates and oocyst numbers from each farm tested. Each profile included an unmedicated uninfected group, an unmedicated infected group, and 11 medicated infected groups, consisting each of three replicates of three Ross chicks. Medication started at 8 days of age, and each inoculated bird received 50,000 sporulated oocysts at 10 days. Results were related to the anticoccidial program that had been in use. Chemical drugs showed the highest activity against Eimeria, whereas ionophores were less efficacious. Of the latter, monensin (110 ppm) was least active; narasin (70 ppm), salinomycin (60 ppm), and maduramicin (5 ppm) took an intermediate position, and lasalocid (90 ppm) was most active. A 50% improvement in weight gain was obtained in 7 to 10 out of 17 profiles with 100 + 8.35 ppm clopidol/methylbenzoquate (10), 125 ppm nicarbazin (9), 3 ppm halofuginone (8), and 1 ppm diclazuril (7). A 50% improvement in feed conversion was obtained in 7 to 11 profiles with nicarbazin (11), halofuginone (10), diclazuril (9), 33 ppm robenidine (9), clopidol/methylbenzoquate (7), and lasalocid (7). Based on relative oocyst output, the highest activity against E. acervulina was obtained with clopidol/methylbenzoquate (8/16); the highest activity against E. maxima was obtained with lasalocid (6/6), diclazuril (5/6), and halofuginone (5/6); and the highest activity against E. tenella was obtained with diclazuril (8/8), amprolium/ethopabate (5/8), halofuginone (4/8), maduramicin (4/8), and nicarbazin (4/8).

Epizootiological Investigation of an Outbreak of Pullorum Disease in an Integrated Broiler Operation

An integrated broiler company experienced a major outbreak of pullorum disease during 1990. The outbreak resulted in the distribution of Salmonella pullorum-infected birds to more than 150 roaster flocks in five states. Twenty-two parent (multiplier) breeder flocks became infected. An epizootiological investigation uncovered a grandparent male line breeder flock as the index flock supplying males to the affected parent flocks. Transmission apparently occurred vertically through the egg and horizontally by contact in the hatcheries and by placement of chicks on contaminated litter.

Cases of Type C Botulism in Broiler Chickens

Twenty-seven cases of type C botulism were studied in integrated broiler operations on the Delmarva Peninsula. Single and repeated outbreaks in broiler flocks were observed. No botulinum toxin was found in litter and feed samples despite repeated testing. Clostridium botulinum type C was cultured from litter, feed, and tissues of morbid and clinically normal chickens sampled from farms in which flocks experienced botulism. Clostridium botulinum type C could not be cultured from tissues of clinically normal chickens taken from a farm without a flock history of botulism or from caged broilers reared in semi-isolation.

Alternative Energy Sources for Brooding Poultry

Heat for brooding is the biggest single energy use item in the typical integrated broiler operation. Maintenance of the proper temperature is particularly important during the first week, before the bird develops the ability to regulate its own body temperature.A number of energy sources are being evaluated to supplement or replace the conventional liquid propane gas and natural gas sources. Solar heat and methane are the best known alternatives. Others include wind, coal and wood combustion, coal, wood, and biomass gasification, and hydrogen and heat pumps.Each alternative has advantages and disadvantages. Installations should be studied carefully before an alternate heat source is selected. In particular, the supply of energy, whether from wind coal or some other source, should be matched to the needs of the poultry production unit. Economics, in most cases, are not attractive when compared to the costs of conventional fuels. However, the economics should improve as conventional fuels become more expensive and as improved technology is developed for the alternate energy sources. A back-up, conventionally fueled heating system will be needed in many cases.

The Economic Feasibility of an Integrated Broiler Operation

American Journal of Agricultural EconomicsVolume 51, Issue 5 p. 1255-1258 Vignettes: Empirical Studie The Economic Feasibility of an Integrated Broiler Operation Richard W. Schermerhorn, Richard W. Schermerhorn professor and extension economist in marketing management Oklahoma State UniversitySearch for more papers by this author Richard W. Schermerhorn, Richard W. Schermerhorn professor and extension economist in marketing management Oklahoma State UniversitySearch for more papers by this author First published: 01 December 1969 https://doi.org/10.2307/1238000AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Volume51, Issue5December 1969Pages 1255-1258 RelatedInformation