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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 #424484
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 load and prevalence in pastured poultry management systems

Author
item AL HAKEEM, WALID - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE)
item KIM, MINHO - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE)
item Cho, Sohyun
item Li, Xiang
item ELLESTAD, LAURA - University Of Georgia
item REGMI, PRAFULLA - University Of Georgia
item Oladeinde, Adelumola
item Rothrock Jr, Michael

Submitted to: Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/15/2025
Publication Date: 6/1/2025
Citation: Al Hakeem, W.G., Kim, M., Cho, S., Li, X., Ellestad, L.E., Regmi, P., Oladeinde, A.A., Rothrock Jr, M.J. 2025. Effect of chicken breed on Campylobacter load and prevalence in pastured poultry management systems. Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract. p. 198.

Interpretive Summary: 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 pathogen 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. 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 was determined by cultural methods and 542 presumptive Campylobacter isolates were saved and characterized by BAX® PCR. 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 significantly higher in the Cornish Cross breed compared to Freedom Ranger during the mid grow-out period (6.3 vs. 4.7 log10CFU/ml) and end 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). All characterized isolates were Campylobacter jejuni. These results indicate that the Cornish Cross breed can potentially harbor a higher load of Campylobacter, and that flies can serve as a potential source for transmission of Campylobacter within a pasture-raised flock. By leveraging these findings, farmers and industry leaders can implement targeted strategies, such as improved fly control and breed selection, to decrease Campylobacter load in pastured raised poultry.

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 pathogen 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. 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 was determined by cultural methods and 542 presumptive Campylobacter isolates were saved and characterized by BAX® PCR. 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 significantly higher in the Cornish Cross breed compared to Freedom Ranger during the mid grow-out period (6.3 vs. 4.7 log10CFU/ml) and end 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). All characterized isolates were Campylobacter jejuni. These results indicate that the Cornish Cross breed can potentially harbor a higher load of Campylobacter, and that flies can serve as a potential source for transmission of Campylobacter within a pasture-raised flock. By leveraging these findings, farmers and industry leaders can implement targeted strategies, such as improved fly control and breed selection, to decrease Campylobacter load in pastured raised poultry.