Study of Bacterial Contamination of Broilers On-Farm in Khartoum State

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential contaminating microorganisms at farm level before slaughtering process in broiler poultry farm. The study was conducted in two broiler chicken farms in 2011 in Khartoum state. Hundred swab samples were collected; the samples were taken from litter, chicken transport boxes and rinse water coops, cloaca, feathers and breast supports. The total viable count and the culture methods were applied for isolation and identification of microorganisms. The study revealed a statistically significant difference at P-value (p≤ 0.05) between the investigated Critical Control Points CCPs, the TVC revealed the highest contamination level recorded was in cloacal swabs 9.98±0.01log10CFU/cm2 while the lowest contamination level recorded was in coops swabs 2.76±0.11log10CFU/cm2. Isolation and identification of bacteria at different operational points under investigation revealed 4 species of bacteria as. Litter was Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus albus(8.33%), cloaca was Escherichia coli (8.33%)andSalmonella(8.33%), feathers Escherichia coli (8.33%) andStaphylococcus aureus (8.33%), transport coops Escherichia coli (16.66%), coop rinse water Staphylococcus 3 aureus (16.66%), and chicken breast supports Escherichia coli (8.33%)andStaphylococcusalbus(8.33%). It was concluded that the levels of microbial contamination in broiler chicken farms may reflect the hygienic status of of poultry meat production. Bacterial contamination on processed broiler carcasses may originate from environment, plant equipments and employees.