Transmission of Salmonella Through an Integrated Poultry Organisation

High mortality in infected broiler flocks was correlated with increased incidence of Salmonella in the grain constituents of the breeder rations. The Salmonella chain of infection was traced through the grain to breeder feed, breeder carrier birds, breeder farm litter and nest box materials, hatchery dead-in-shell embryos, day-old broilers and subsequently to the dressed broilers. Regular monitoring of these aspects of poultry production is suggested as a useful means of reducing Salmonella contamination levels in the integrated industry to a minimum.