DECONTAMINATION OF POULTRY TRANSPORT CAGES

Research has shown that broiler transport cages are an important bacte riological link between broiler production and processing facilities. Development of an adequate disinfection system is needed to eliminate or decrease the level of Salmonella entering the processing plant. A l aboratory-sized model to simulate actual field conditions was designed and constructed Sample pieces of contaminated poultry crating were te sted in the system at different water temperatures, with and without s odium hypochlorite disinfectant, and with and without the presence of organic matter in the water bath. Regression equations were developed to estimate the Salmonella kill on different cage construction materia ls (i.e., steel, fiberglass, and wood). Experimental results indicated that varying amounts of sodium hypochlorite at different water temper atures were needed to kill Salmonella on different materials. Galvaniz ed steel pieces were decontaminated at 55 degrees C and 500 ppm Clorox (R); fiberglass pieces at 55 degrees C and 1000 ppm Clorox and wood pi eces were not decontaminated under the conditions tested.