P. Whyte et al., The effect of transportation stress on excretion rates of Campylobacters in market-age broilers, POULTRY SCI, 80(6), 2001, pp. 817-820
We determined the effects of transportation distance and holding times at a
commercial slaughter facility on excretion rates of Campylobacter spp. in
broilers. Fecal samples from broilers in each of 10 flocks were obtained at
the following three sampling points: at the farms, following transportatio
n, and after holding at the plant. The farms examined were divided into two
groups based on distances and transport times to the plant. The prevalence
and levels of Campylobacter spp. were evaluated for all specimens taken at
the three sampling points. A statistically significant increase in counts
was observed in samples from both groups following transportation (P < 0.05
). The resting period at the abattoir prior to slaughter did not significan
tly reduce rates of Campylobacter spp. shedding in the flocks examined. Dif
ferences in distance travelled and transport durations between the two grou
ps was not found to be a statistically significant factor in altering excre
tion rates of the organism. The present study demonstrated that transport-i
nduced stress increased shedding of Campylobacter spp. in fecal material of
broilers that may subsequently result in extensive carcass contamination.