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ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to determine prevalence and perform genomic analysis of Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. isolated from different stages of an integrated NAE broiler complex. Environmental samples were screened with 3M-Molecular Detection System (MDS) and MDS positive samples were further processed for confirmation of results and identification. Core genome-based phylogenies were built for both bacteria isolated from this study along with selected NCBI genomes. The odds ratios and 95% confidence limits were compared among stages and sample types (α < 0.05) using multivariable model. Based on MDS results, 4% and 18% of total samples were positive for Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. respectively. The odds of Salmonella detection in hatchery samples were 2.58 times as likely as compared to its detection in production farms’ samples (P = 0.151) while the odds of Campylobacter detection in production farms’ samples were 32.19 times as likely as its detection in hatchery (P = 0.0015). Similarly, the odds of Campylobacter detection in boot swabs, soil, water, and miscellaneous samples were statistically significant (P < 0.05) as compared with fly paper as reference group. The serovars identified for Salmonella were Typhimurium, Barranquilla, Liverpool, Kentucky, Enteritidis, Luciana, and Rough_O:r:1,5. For Campylobacter, the species identified were Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli. Phylogeny results show close genetic relatedness among bacterial strains isolated from different locations within the same stage and between different stages. The results show possibility of multiple entry points of such bacteria entering broiler complex and can potentially contaminate the final raw product in the processing plant. It suggests the need for a comprehensive control strategy with strict biosecurity measures and best management practices to minimize or eliminate such pathogens from the poultry food chain.

ABSTRACT: Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) gypsum is a byproduct of the coal-fired power plant process commonly used to remove sulfur dioxide emissions from the flue gas. FGD gypsum has numerous industrial, agricultural, and environmental applications. This study aimed to explore a novel approach involving the use of FGD gypsum combined with different litter treatments as bedding for broiler production. It focused on performance metrics, including adjusted feed conversion ratio (AFCR) and average body weight (BW), foot pad dermatitis (FPD), and fear response over 5 consecutive flocks. A total of 1,800 one-day-old Ross 708 chicks were randomly assigned to 24 pens (75 birds/pen), divided into 6 treatment groups (4 pens/treatment), with 5 replications and raised until 42 d old (d). Treatments were gypsum that was decaked (D), rotovated (E), and rotovated then windrowed (F) between flocks. Control treatments using pine shavings were decaked (A), rotovated (B), and windrowed postrotovating (C). AFCR, average BW, and mortality were used as a measure of production. Foot pad dermatitis scores were taken on d42 using a scale of 0 (absence), 1 (mild), and 2 (severe). Response to observer and human approach test were used to measure fear response. Data were analyzed as a 2-way ANOVA (Proc Glimmix) for the main effects of bedding type and litter treatment. Means were identified using Tukey's HSD. No effect of bedding type or litter treatment was found for AFCR, BW, or mortality. FPD scores 2 and 1, were higher with pine shavings than gypsum (P = 0.01 and P = 0.01, respectively). While FPD scores 0 were higher for gypsum than the pine shaving (P = 0.01). No difference in fear response was found among birds raised on any of the gypsum litter treatments and any of the pine shaving litter treatments. Overall, the use of gypsum as bedding results in equivalent production and fear response to pine shavings, while increasing FPD quality when compared to pine shaving.

ABSTRACT: A study was conducted to assess the effects of a dietary yeast cell wall (YCW) with and without a Campylobacter jejuni (CJ) challenge. A total of 2,240-day-old Ross 708 males were randomly assigned within 8 treatments with a 4 × 2 factorial design, with 4 diets (negative control, positive control, YCW constant dose (400 g/ton), and YCW step-down dose (800/400/200 g/ton in the starter/grower/finisher diets, respectively) and with and without d 21 CJ oral gavage challenge at 5.2 × 107 CFU/mL. At d 0, 14, 28, and 41 body weights and feed consumption were measured to determine performance. At d 14, 28, and 42, 8 jejunal and ileal histology samples per treatment were collected for villi morphology measurements. At d 22 and 28 (1- and 7-days postinoculation), 24 ileal tissue samples per treatment were collected for relative gene expression analysis. At d 42, 24 cecal content samples per treatment were collected for CJ enumeration. Finally, on d 44, 96 birds per treatment were processed to determine carcass yield and 16 carcass rinses per treatment were collected to determine CJ prevalence after processing. Diet or inoculation did not impact broiler performance (P > 0.05). Limited differences were observed in intestinal morphology, and villus height and crypt depth were different only in the ileum at d 42 (P = 0.0280 and P = 0.0162, respectively). At d 1 postinoculation, differences between treatments inoculated with CJ and PBS were observed in the expression of avian beta defensin 10 (AvBD10), interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), and interleukin 10 (IL-10) (P < 0.05). At d 7 postinoculation, expression of AvBD10, IL-1ß, and IL-10 was similar among all treatments (P > 0.05). At d 42, all birds, regardless the inoculation, had similar levels of CJ recovered from cecal contents (P > 0.05). After processing, carcass yield and CJ prevalence postchilling was similar in all treatments (P > 0.05). Overall, under the conditions of this study, the addition of YCW during a CJ challenge did not have an impact in growth performance, innate immune response, cecal colonization, carcass yield, or CJ prevalence after processing.

Various culture-based methods to detect Salmonella in animal feed have been developed due to the impact of this bacterium on public and animal health. For this project, tris phosphate carbonate (TPC) and buffered peptone water (BPW) buffering capacities were compared as pre-enrichment mediums for the detection of Salmonella in feed ingredients. A total of 269 samples were collected from 6 feed mills and mixed with the pre-enrichments; pH was measured before and after a 24 h incubation. Differences were observed when comparing pH values by sample type; DDGS and poultry by-product meal presented lower initial pH values for TPC and BPW compared to the other samples. For both TPC and BPW, meat and bone meal presented higher final pH values, while soybean meal and peanut meal had lower final pH values. Furthermore, for BPW, post cooling, pellet loadout, and wheat middlings reported lower final pH values. Additionally, most feed ingredients presented significant differences in pH change after 24 h of incubation, except DDGS. From meat and bone meal samples, four Salmonella isolates were recovered and identified: three using BPW and one using TPC. TPC provided greater buffer capacity towards neutral pH compared to BPW, but BPW was more effective at recovering Salmonella.