UNDERSTANDING THE RISK OF SALMONELLA ENTERITIDIS (SE) IN SMALL (I.E. < 3,000 LAYING HENS) PASTURE BASED POULTRY OPERATIONS THAT ARE EXEMPT FROM SE ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING"

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: TERMINATED
• Funding Source: ANIMAL HEALTH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1005918
• Project No.: CA-V-PHR-4046
• Project Start Date: Mar 11, 2015
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2016

Project Director
Pitesky, MA, .

Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS
410 MRAK HALL
DAVIS,CA 95616-8671

Performing Department
Population Health & Reproduction

Non Technical Summary
Based on previous literature the prevalence of SE in conventional commercial layer operations in California has been well established* Our long-term goal is to understand differences in the prevalence of SE on pastured poultry operations in order to better work with small-scale layer farmers and pasture poultry farmers on SE prevention. Our central hypothesis is that the prevalence of SE in the pasture and the eggmobile will be statistically equivalent to previous studies in conventional poultry. However, because of the increased potential for wildlife interaction the prevalence could be higher and if present could pose unique risks to crops grown on that poultry fertilized land

Animal Health Component

100%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

100%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
712	0120	1100	100%

Knowledge Area
712 - Protect Food from Contamination by Pathogenic Microorganisms, Parasites, and Naturally Occurring Toxins;

Subject Of Investigation
0120 - Land;

Field Of Science
1100 - Bacteriology;

Keywords

salmonella enteritidis

pasture poultry production

egg safety

Goals / Objectives
Here we propose to test the prevalence of SE in the environment of 12 collaborating pasture poultry layer farms in California that are below 3,000 hens and therefore are not required to test their farm environments for SE. In addition, we will test the environment of the "eggmobiles" and the surrounding pasture in order to better understand the potential risk of SE in the pastured environment that is often used for crop production for human consumption.In collaboration with 12 independent pasture poultry farms in California, this study is intended to help address 2 knowledge gaps. 1. Determine if there is a greater prevalence of SE on layer farms below 3,000 hens and 2) identify potential SE risks associated with pasture poultry production . The third objective is to develop UCCE outreach capabilities with small-scale poultry farmers with respect to food safety and disease prevention.

Project Methods
Phase I: In concert with a veterinary student, outreach to 12 participating small-scale pasture poultry farms will be coordinated in order to teach these producers how and when to test their environment for SE via drag-swabs.Phase II: Farmers will submit individual drag swabs from eggmobiles and the surrounding pasture at the following points in the flocks life cycle "chick papers, " 14-16 week old pullets, 40-44 weeks of production, 4-6 weeks post-molt and pre-depopulation. Samples will be taken in duplicate and will be taken inside the eggmobile and with the associated pasture. The study will be carried out over a 12 month period in order to capture the prevalence of SE over at least one &#39;typical&#39; layer life-cycle at each of the 12 farms.Phase III: Under the supervision of Doctors Carnaccini and Sent&iacute;es -Cu&eacute; a veterinary student will identify the absence/presence of SE in each swab via isolation and PCR. Group D Salmonella will be identified, but only SE (e.g one of several Group D Salmonella) will be recorded.Phase IV: Data Analysis. Using SPSS, an ANOVA and post-hoc analysis will be performed in order to compare the prevalence of SE between the 12 farms and historical commercial data collected as part of the PIs 2013 SE study published in the journal Avian Diseases. The number of samples collected is dictated by the number of farms included in the study, the size of each farm, the number of eggmobiles and the number of flocks present on each farm. Based on these parameters we anticipate the collection of approximately 800 samples.

Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience has been the commerical non-conventional (i.e. pastured and free-range producers) poultry industry. We presented the results to an audience of approximately 50 pastured poultry farmers at UC Davis as part of a conference on pastured poultry Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We have presented our material in various extension based venuses including presenting the conclusions to an audience of approximately 50 commercial pastured poultry producers at a meetng hosted at UC Davis. Additionally, a summary article was posted to "Poultry Ponderings" an electronic newsletter hosted by UC Davis that summarizes poultry research within the University of California. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We have presented our material in various extension based venuses including presenting the conclusions to an audience of approximately 50 commercial pastured poultry producers at a meetng hosted at UC Davis. Additionally, a summary article was posted to "Poultry Ponderings" an electronic newsletter hosted by UC Davis that summarizes poultry research within the University of California. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continued extension to non-conventional commercial poultry operations via farm visits and other extension opportunities.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We identified baseline prevalence of SE via drag swabs and baseline prevalnce of antiboides against Salmonella using blood agglutination tests. We also characterized basic husbandry practices and space requirements (inside and outside) for commercial pastured poultry production in California.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Article has been accepted. No citation yet.

Progress 03/11/15 to 09/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience:The primary audience were commercial free-range and pastured poultry producers. Additional targets include various regulatory satekholders who work with commercial free-range and pastured poultry producers. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This work has been used to develop a USDA-BFRDP proposal focused training of beginning and new commercial and free-range pastured poultry producers. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been shown as part of BFRDP training sessions and also as part of the California Egg Quality Assurance Programs (CEQAP) annual continuing educations sessions. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? This work help establish as part of a publication the basic husbandry parameters of commercial free-range and pastured poultry operations in California. Salmonella surveillance showed a similar prevalence rate to conventional layer birds wtih respect to Salmonella Enteritidis prevalence. However, sera tests for antibodies against Salmonella showed that these birds were exposed to significant amounts of Salmonella as shown by a mean on farm titer prevalence against Salmonella of 25.6%. Using regression the best predictors of this included presence of domestic waterfowl and non-solid floors in the mobile coops. In addition results showed that the average square footage alloted to each bird when the birds are in their coop at night is below regulatory guidelines.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: 017 Apr 1;96(4):957-965. doi: 10.3382/ps/pew360. Poultry Science Descriptive survey and Salmonella surveillance of pastured poultry layer farms in California. Dailey N1, Niemeier D2, Elkhoraibi C3, Sent�es-Cu� CG4, Pitesky M5.

Progress 03/11/15 to 09/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience are pastured poultry farmers in California and various stakeholders that engage the poultry industry throughout California(i.e California Department of Food Agriculture, UC-Agriculture and Natural Resources). Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?In October the results of this project will be presented at the Marin Pastured Poultry Symposium. Further outreach efforts to targeted stakeholders (e.g. pastured poultry farmers) will be presented in the on-line newsletter "Poultry Ponderings." and at other meetings including the annual Eco-Farm Conference at Asilamar, California. In addition, at UC Davis we have developed a "UC Davis Pasture Poultry Farm" which is meant to be a research and innovation hub for pastured poultry farmers. As we devlop short courses these results will be integrated into our meetings with respect to food safety. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?In October the results of this project will be presented at the Marin Pastured Poultry Symposium. Further outreach efforts to targeted stakeholders (e.g. pastured poultry farmers) will be presented in the on-line newsletter "Poultry Ponderings." and at other meetings including the annual Eco-Farm Conference at Asilamar, California. In addition, at UC Davis we have developed a "UC Davis Pasture Poultry Farm" which is meant to be a research and innovation hub for pastured poultry farmers. As we devlop short courses these results will be integrated into our meetings with respect to food safety.? What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Further data analysis and presentations are planned. In addition we are working on a publication to be submitted to the journal Poultry Science.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Our primary goal was to establish the baseline prevalence of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) in pastured poultry farms that have below 3,000 hens which is the regulatory threshold of SE surveillance required by the FDA). Of the 11 farms that we did surveillance in California only one commercial pastured poultry farm had positive SE environmental drag swabs. The overall prevalence of postive drag swabs issimilar to the prevalence of SE previoulsy reported in the literature in California conventional poultry farms (4.5%). In addition, blood samples were taken from hens at each farm and field agglutination tests against Group D Salmonella were performed. Results in non-SE vaccinated hens showed positive agglutinations against Group D Salmonella in over 10% of the birds tested. Results from surveys are still pending but should help provide information about husbandry practices that are related to food safety. Integration of this data with the agglutination and environmental drags swabs will be used to identify risk factors for Salmonella prevlanece on pastured poultry farms.

Publications