An application study for monitoring and evaluation of the hygienic status of poultry farms

Alm Eldin, Nehal Kamal; Aidaros, H. A.; Khalafallah, S. S.; Diab, M. S.; El Bahgy, Halla K.E.

doi:10.21608/bvmj.2022.165311.1597

An application study for monitoring and evaluation of the hygienic status of poultry farms

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Animal Hygiene and Zoonoses Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, New Valley University, El-Kharga 72511, Egypt

² Veterinary Hygiene and Management Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Moshtohor 13736, Egypt

³ Veterinary Hygiene and Management Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha Universit, Moshtohor 13736y, Egypt

10.21608/bvmj.2022.165311.1597

Abstract

Proper application of hygienic measures is very essential to reduce the risk of infectious agents and increase the profitability of poultry farms. A cross-sectional study was conducted on twelve Egyptian poultry farms in Qalubia Governorate with different types of housing systems and productions. A total number of 2160 samples included litter, feed, water, droppings and air dust. Moreover, swabs from walls, birds' cloaca, workers’ hands, and wheels of vehicles. The hygienic level of different poultry farms was evaluated according to the hygiene scoring system, the aerobic plate count (APC) and the percent of isolated Salmonella. The results showed a huge range in the hygienic level of poultry farms under study, the hygiene scores of different poultry farms ranged from (31.7%) to (90%). The APC of collected samples ranged from (log 3.78 CFU/g) to (log 12.31 CFU/g). In addition, the mean percentage of Salmonella in different poultry farms was (20%). Pen litter had the highest mean of APC (log 10.02 CFU/g) and Salmonella percentage (49.5%). A highly significant increase (P > 0.05) in the APC and Salmonella percentage was recorded in poultry farms with low hygienic levels. The poultry farms’ hygiene is the strongest shield that protects the farm from the risks of bacterial contamination and many dangerous diseases that may be transmitted from the farm environment to the birds, thus preventing large economical loss and serious public health hazards.

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