Preliminary results on sources of bacteria of economic importance from three broiler chicken farms in Uyo metropolis of Akwa Ibom State

Abstract

Certain bacteria species are considered of economic importance in the poultry industry. This is as a result of economic losses farmers incur when birds are infected with such pathogenic bacteria. These include Salmonella, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and most importantly Clostridia perfringens. Feed and faecal droppings were collected from 3 farms in Uyo metropolis Akwa Ibom state. Three (3) six-weeks old broiler birds were purchased from each farm and slaughtered to obtain digesta samples from the crop. Salmonella, E. coli and Clostridia were isolated from both feed sample (ten from different feeding troughs) and faecal droppings (ten samples from different parts of the pen the birds were purchased from) collected from the three farms. The bacteria were also isolated from the crop content of the birds purchased from each farm. A positive growth of Clostridia was recorded in both feed and faecal droppings sampled. However, Salmonella and E. coli were only present in the droppings but not in feed sample collected. There was a high degree of prevalence of Salmonella in the crop of birds from two of the three farms sampled while a medium degree of prevalence of Clostridia was recorded in both farms.Conclusively, feed may not necessarily be the source of bacteria, however contamination of feed from management practices obtained in farms can. Continuous contact of the bird with its dropping and litter may eventually culminate in the bacteria getting into the gastrointestinal tract.

Keywords: bacteria, Clostridia perfringens, Escherichia coli, feed, poultry farms, Salmonella