A management technique to identify prime locations of Salmonella contamination on broiler and layer farms

This study describes a strategic sampling and quantitative culture technique for counting Salmonella populations at various locations in broiler litter or layer manure. Such quantification is a key tool in the identification of management practices associated with either the increased or decreased risk of pre-harvest Salmonella contamination. The potential value of the technique was demonstrated with the acquisition of Salmonella counts suggesting that the hazards of Salmonella contamination, and previously associated litter and manure humidity parameters, were higher where airflow rates over litter of manure surfaces were less than 15.6 m/min (51 ft/min).