Observations on the distribution and control of Salmonella species in two integrated broiler companies

The effectiveness of cleaning and disinfecting broiler farms and the persistence of Salmonella species in two integrated broiler companies was investigated for two years. Both companies used a cleaning and disinfection regime which included the application of a spray of phenolic disinfectant followed by fogging with formaldehyde solution, and this was highly effective in preventing carry-over of infection in the broiler houses. The disinfection of service areas and areas outside the houses was less effective but it had no influence on the Salmonella status of later flocks. Both companies had persistent problems with the contamination of pellet cooling systems in their feedmills with Salmonella 4,12:d:- in company A, and with Salmonella binza and Salmonella ohio in company B. The hatcher incubators of both companies were also persistently contaminated with Salmonella livingstone and Salmonella thomasville in company A and with Salmonella senftenberg in company B. At both companies sites Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium DT104 were also isolated occasionally from various locations.