Dissemination of Salmonella in broiler-chicken operations.

Dissemination of Salmonella from hatchery to broiler farm and from broiler farm to processing plant was assessed. Bacteriological examination of fluff and meconium at the hatchery, feed and litter at the farm, and carcass rinsing at the plant level was conducted. When fluff and/or meconium were contaminated with Salmonella, litter and carcasses were contaminated with the same serotypes. Properly pelleted feed does not seem to be an important source of infection. Stress (feed and water deprivation) and some effect on shedding of Salmonella. Fluff and meconium at hatchery, feces from 3-to-7-day-old chicks, and litter at 3 and 6 weeks can be used as an indicator of flock infection and thus carcass contamination.