Hatchery contamination can result in exposure of newly hatched chicks
to salmonellae at a time when they are most susceptible to colonizatio
n of their intestinal tract. Eggshell fragments, external rinses, and
intestinal tracts from day-of-hatch chicks were sampled for salmonella
e contamination. Chicks from the same hatching trays were then put in
isolators or floor pens and fed a pelleted com-soybean ration for 1 wk
before external rinses and ceca from each chick were sampled for salm
onellae. About 17% of eggshell, 21% of chick rinses, and 5% of intesti
nes sampled at Day 0 were positive for salmonellae. No differences wer
e observed between broiler hatcheries, but significant differences wer
e seen between replications within hatching cabinets. Results from thi
s study suggest a correlation between hatchery-acquired salmonellae an
d the production of potential seeder birds. No differences between egg
shell and chick rinse samples were found (correlation = .81); therefor
e, eggshells are recommended as the best sample to determine hatchery
salmonellae contamination.