A longitudinal observational study of Salmonella shedding patterns by commercial turkeys during rearing and fattening, showing limitations of some control measures

The onset and progression of Salmonella infections was investigated in commercial turkey flocks from placement at 1d old until slaughter in brood and move systems using a longitudinal observational approach based on faeces and environmental sampling with subsequent culture of Salmonella. Persistent Salmonella Newport contamination was found within rearing houses and on their external concrete aprons after cleaning and disinfection between crops of heavily shedding young birds. Salmonella shedding was often detected by 5d of age and the frequency of positive samples peaked at 14-35d. Thereafter Salmonella isolations declined, especially in the later (fattening) stages. Samples were still Salmonella-positive at low prevalence in half of the intensively sampled houses at slaughter age. A number of management interventions to combat Salmonella infection of flocks, including sourcing policy, competitive exclusion cultures and cleaning and disinfection, were inadequate to prevent flock infection, although improved disinfection on one unit was associated with a delay in the onset of flock infection.