Project Number: 6226-32000-011-22
Project Type: General Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 01, 2011
End Date: Aug 31, 2014

Objective:
The overall goal is to study the effectiveness of natural strategies in the control of enteric problems such as necrotic enteritis and Salmonella and Campylobacter infection and promote gut health in poultry raised under organic conditions, while assisting organic poultry producers to comply with the requirements of the National Organic Program. The outreach/extension objectives for Penn State University are to: 1. Disseminate results of the project to the organic poultry community, through numerous delivery methods including conferences, electronic and printed materials, and training activities in a research and teaching oriented organic poultry facility; 2. Conduct outreach to organic poultry producers, avian health professionals, extension specialists and other interested stakeholders regarding the objectives and results of this project; 3. Measure the impact of outreach in reducing enteric pathogens and foodborne pathogens in organic poultry production.

Approach:
As part of a USDA Organic Research and Extension Initiative funded proposal research and extension objectives will be conducted in cooperation with collaborators from the ARS Unit in College Station (Byrd), University of Arkansas Fayetteville, University of Connecticut, Appalachian State University, University of Tennessee, Penn State University, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff and the University of Kentucky focused on a comprehensive approach to reduce pathogen and disease sources in organic poultry production systems. Caprylic acid (CA) is a natural, fatty acid present in bovine milk and coconut oil, and is an FDA-approved food-grade compound. Trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC) is also a food-grade compound naturally present in cinnamon oil. Our preliminary research indicates that CA and TC are bactericidal on Salmonella and Campylobacter, highlighting the potential of CA and TC as new tools to control these pathogens in organic poultry. In addition there is evidence that these compounds may reduce necrotic enteritis in birds and a disease model will be used to assess this approach. In addition treating birds and the litter with natural products such as these essential oils, probiotics and bacteriophage will also be assessed.