title: Hatchery-acquired salmonellae in broiler chicks.
abstract: Hatchery contamination can result in exposure of newly hatched chicks to salmonellae at a time when they are most susceptible to colonization of their intestinal tract. Eggshell fragments, external rinses, and intestinal tracts from day-of-hatch chicks were sampled for salmonellae contamination. Chicks from the same hatching trays were then put in isolators or floor pens and fed a pelleted corn-soybean ration for 1 wk before external rinses and ceca from each chick were sampled for salmonellae. About 17% of eggshell, 21% of chick rinses, and 5% of intestines sampled at Day 0 were positive for salmonellae. No differences were observed between broiler hatcheries, but significant differences were seen between replications within hatching cabinets. Results from this study suggest a correlation between hatchery-acquired salmonellae and the production of potential seeder birds. No differences between eggshell and chick rinse samples were found (correlation = .81); therefore, eggshells are recommended as the best sample to determine hatchery salmonellae contamination.
authors.affiliation: USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Russell Research Center, Athens, Georgia 30613.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Berrang
mesh_terms: D000391:Air Microbiology; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D002432:Cecum / Q000382:microbiology; D002645:Chickens / Q000382:microbiology*; D004528:Egg Shell / Q000382:microbiology; D005516:Food Microbiology; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology; D012475:Salmonella / Q000302:isolation & purification*