A management technique to identify prime locations of Salmonella contamination on broiler and layer farms

This study describes a strategic sampling and quantitative culture techniqu e for counting Salmonella populations at various locations in broiler litte r or layer manure. Such quantification is a key tool in the identification of management practices associated with either the increased or decreased r isk of pre-harvest Salmonella contamination. The potential value of the tec hnique was demonstrated with the acquisition of Salmonella counts suggestin g that the hazards of Salmonella contamination, and previously associated l itter and manure humidity parameters, were higher where airflow rates over litter of manure surfaces were less than 15.6 m/min (51 ft/min).