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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Egg and Poultry Production Safety Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #421128
Research Project: Reduction of Foodborne Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance in Poultry Production Environments

Location: Egg and Poultry Production Safety Research Unit

Title: Effect of chicken breed on Campylobacter and Salmonella load and prevalence in pasture-raised farms.

Author
item AL HAKEEM, WALID - Department Of Energy
item KIM, MINHO - Department Of Energy
item Cho, Sohyun
item Li, Xiang
item Oladeinde, Adelumola
item Rothrock Jr, Michael

Submitted to: International Poultry Scientific Forum
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/25/2024
Publication Date: 1/5/2025
Citation: Al Hakeem, W.G., Kim, M., Cho, S., Li, X., Oladeinde, A.A., Rothrock Jr, M.J. 2025. Effect of chicken breed on Campylobacter and Salmonella load and prevalence in pasture-raised farms. International Poultry Scientific Forum. p. 323.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Pasture-raised farms mainly raise Cornish Cross for broiler production, but increasing consumer demand for stronger flavor and texture is prompting a shift to heritage breeds like Freedom Ranger. With the increased environmental interaction and the potential increase in exposure to foodborne pathogens in these settings, a better understanding of the prevalence and load of foodborne populations inherent within pastured poultry breeds is needed. To achieve this, 300 Cornish Cross birds and 300 Freedom Ranger were obtained from the same hatchery and brooded indoors until 3 weeks of age. In the third week, 150 birds from each breed were allocated into moveable coops to ensure daily access to fresh pasture. Birds had access to feed and water ad libitum throughout the experiment. Pooled broiler samples (ileum, ceca, and broiler feces) and environmental samples (feed and water) were collected on days 0 and 7. On days 21, 35, 49, 56, and 77, pooled broiler samples (ileum, ceca, broiler feces, pasture feces) and environmental samples (flies, feed, water, and wild bird feces). Campylobacter load and Salmonella prevalence were determined by cultural methods. One-way ANOVA with breed or sample type as the main effect, followed by Tukey’s multiple comparison method for pairwise comparison, was performed using R software. Campylobacter was not detected in any samples in the first 3 weeks, except in the flies at day 21. Campylobacter load was higher in the Cornish Cross breed compared to Freedom Ranger during the mid-growth period (6.3 vs. 4.7 log10CFU/ml )and end of the grow-out period (4.04 vs. 2.79 log10CFU/ml) (p< 0.05). The final product from the Cornish Cross had a higher Campylobacter load compared to the Freedom Ranger (2.47 vs. 0 log10CFU/ml) (p < 0.05). Salmonella was isolated from 53 of a total of 412 samples, representing an overall prevalence of 12.86%. Salmonella prevalence was higher in Cornish Cross (18.51%) compared to the Freedom Ranger (8.1%) (p<0.05). Salmonella prevalence was the highest in the flies (45%) and lowest in feed samples (0%) (p<0.05). These results indicate that the Cornish Cross breed can potentially harbor a higher load and prevalence of Campylobacter and Salmonella, respectively, and that flies can serve as a source for transmission of Campylobacter and Salmonella within a pasture-raised flock.