Clean broiler coops to reduce bacterial load
Broiler transport coops in the US, are rarely washed and may result in carcass contamination. Trials, conducted in the laboratory of Texas A&M, have demonstrated that foaming cleaners and disinfectants can significantly reduce bacteria when applied to a surface for the recommended 10 min contact time.
It was hypothesised that a commercially available disinfectant or cleaner applied through a compressed air foam system (CAFS) followed by high pressure water rinse may further reduce the microbial load if allowed an extended contact time of 30 min.
Treatments consisted of:
- high pressure water rinse control,
- product application with a 3-min low pressure water rinse and
- product application followed by a 3-min high pressure water rinse.
A foaming alkaline based cleaner (trial 1) and a peracetic acid (PAA) with a foaming agent (trial 2) were applied to freshly soiled coops. These products were applied via CAFS, allowed to soak for 30 min and washed with a low pressure water rinse to remove residual chemical or with a high pressure water rinse to remove organic matter.
In trial 1, the foaming alkaline based cleaner treatments resulted in no significant differences in the microbial load of the coop floors.
However, significant reductions in aerobic bacteria and Campylobacter were observed with the PAA treatments in trial 2. These data indicate that the use of a compressed air foam system combined with PAA and a foaming agent may reduce aerobic bacteria and Campylobacter on the floors of broiler transport coops.
Source: E. Fowlkes and co-workers, Texas A&M University, AgriLife Research and Extension, USDAARS, College Station, TX USA
Proceedings of the PSA 102nd annual meeting, July 2013, San Diego, CA USA
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