HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Berrang, M. E. Articles by Northcutt, J. K. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Berrang, M. E. Articles by Northcutt, J. K.

Water Spray and Immersion in Chemical Sanitizer to Lower Bacterial Numbers on Broiler Transport Coop Flooring

USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Poultry Processing and Meat Quality Research Unit, Russell Research Center, PO Box 5677, Athens, Georgia 30604-5677

Correspondence: M. E. Berrang, E-mail: mberrang{at}saa.ars.usda.gov

Broiler transport coops become soiled with feces during use. When this fecal matter contains Campylobacter, the result can be cross-contamination of subsequent flocks that were previously free of this important human pathogen. Because washing and sanitizing coops requires large amounts of water and is not always effective enough to justify the expense, few broiler companies wash and sanitize dump coops between flocks. In this lab-scale study, a tap water spray was effective in lowering the numbers of bacteria, including Campylobacter, associated with broiler transport coop flooring. Immersion in a chemical sanitizer after spray washing did not enhance the antibacterial effect. It is possible that sanitizing treatments could be made more effective by using higher concentrations of chemicals, high temperature treatment, or high pressure or repeated applications of water spray. However, such changes would come at a cost. Research is needed to find new and innovative ways to lower bacterial numbers in broiler transport coops without undue use of water and the associated expense.

Key Words: broiler • Campylobacter • Escherichia coli • sanitize • transport cage • transport coop

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. K. Northcutt and M. E. Berrang Influence of a Chicken Transport Cage-Washing System on Wastewater Characteristics and Bacteria Recovery from Cage Flooring J. Appl. Poult. Res., January 1, 2006; 15(3): 457 - 463. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]