Role of batch depletion of broiler houses on the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in chicken flocks.
OBJECTIVE
The effect of batch depletion of broiler houses for campylobacter occurrence in broiler flocks was estimated in 10 flocks, each comprising a separate female and male batch.


RESULTS
The chicks were sampled first by cloacal swabs in the broiler houses before the start of the depopulation and secondly, on arrival at the abattoir. Females were slaughtered at 5 weeks of age, males at 6 weeks. The number of campylobacter-positive batches increased from five to seven female batches, and from five to 10 male batches, between the two sampling rounds.


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that batch depletion of broiler houses increased the prevalence of Campylobacter spp.-infected broilers in the flocks, that the introduction occurred when catching the first batch, and that campylobacter spreads through the entire flock within a week.


CONCLUSIONS
The results from this study emphasize the need to manage depopulation of broiler houses as quickly as possible and in one batch only.
Hald
B
B
Danish Veterinary Laboratory, Aarhus, Denmark. bha@svs.dk
Rattenborg
E
E
Madsen
M
M
D000003:Abattoirs; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D002167:Campylobacter / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002645:Chickens / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006799:Housing, Animal; D008297:Male; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D015995:Prevalence