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Influence of a Chicken Transport Cage-Washing System on Wastewater Characteristics and Bacteria Recovery from Cage Flooring¹

USDA-Agricultural Research Service, PO Box 5677, Athens, GA 30604-5677

² Corresponding author: jnorthcutt{at}saa.ars.usda.gov

A study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of an automated commercial washing system designed to clean chicken transportation cages. Surface swabs of flooring in chicken transport cages were collected before and after washing and again after sanitizer application and evaluated for recovery of bacteria. Cage wash water samples (CWW) were collected and assessed chemically and microbiologically. Washing cages significantly reduced levels of total aerobic bacteria, coliforms, and Escherichia coli recovered from flooring by 1.3, 1.6, and 1.5 log₁₀ cfu/cm², respectively. Levels of total aerobic bacteria, coliforms, and E. coli on flooring were further reduced by 0.7, 0.6, and 0.7 log₁₀ cfu/cm² after sanitizer application. Prevalence of Salmonella on unwashed flooring (1/27 positive), washed and sanitized flooring (0/27 positive), and in the CWW (1/9 positive) was low. Prevalence of Campylobacter (7/27 positive) on unwashed flooring decreased significantly when cages were washed and sanitized (2/27 positive). Counts of total aerobic bacteria, coliforms, and E. coli in CWW ranged from 2.0 to 4.0 log₁₀ cfu/mL, and 1 of 9 CWW was positive for Campylobacter. Although the CWW collected from the second washing station appeared darker than the CWW collected from the first washing station, there was no statistical difference in total solids, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, and chemical oxygen demand. The present study demonstrates that washing and sanitizing chicken transport cages reduces, but does not completely eliminate, bacterial contamination on the flooring surface.

Key Words: chicken transport cage • cage contamination • bacteriology

¹ Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.