National Agricultural Library

Effects of litter amendments on broiler growth characteristics and Salmonella colonization in the crop and cecum

Salmonella can be prevalent in poultry litter and can be a source of contamination for chicks newly arrived at the poultry house. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of litter amendments on broiler grow-out characteristics (BW and feed conversion), litter moisture, and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium colonization in the litter, crop and cecum. Because Salmonella Typhimurium is a pathogen of concern to the poultry industry, 2 types of litter amendments and 2 types of feed additions were created and tested to determine the effects of broiler growth, litter moisture, and litter efficacy against Salmonella colonization. Litter amendments consisted of a combination of acidic calcium sulfate and either diatomaceous earth or hydrated sodium calcium aluminiosilicate. Feed additions consisted of differing amounts of sodium bisulfate. For the litter amendment experiments, chicks were placed into pens in isolation rooms. Each litter amendment was applied to 3 pens for replicates of experimental groups. Litter samples were taken weekly from 5 areas in each pen and were combined for the determination of Salmonella colony-forming units per gram of litter. At 3 and 6 wk after placement, birds from each pen were killed by CO2 asphyxiation. Efficacy of the litter amendments varied among experimental groups in broiler growth characteristics and efficacy against Salmonella.

Journal of Applied Poultry Research

Volume 19

pp. 132-136