Purpose: Understand prevalence and spread of Salmonella spp. in Oregon’s exempt poultry operations.
Methods: Oregon’s exempt poultry facilities (n = 16) were asked to participate in a Salmonella testing study. Five agreeable processors were randomly selected, and dressed carcasses (n = 15 - 16) were tested for Salmonella using a modified USDA-MLG method. Two facilities were selected for further environmental and carcass sampling.
Results: The initial round of carcass testing revealed substantially different Salmonella prevalence: 3 processors: 0 detectable Salmonella (n = 15); 1 processor: 1/15 positive; 1 processor: 10/16 positive. The facility with highest prevalence (A) and one facility with no detectable Salmonella (B) were selected for sampling during active processing. Facility A had very high rates of Salmonella in live birds (16/30 positive feces; 17/20 positive crops). Facility A also had positive carcasses (16/20), equipment/tools (6/7), and processing water (9/24). For facility B, positive samples were only detected in fecal samples (2/30) and a single crop (n = 20). All other samples from B [carcasses (n = 20), equipment/tools (n = 6), processing water (n = 33)] were negative for Salmonella.
Significance: Salmonella prevalence in poultry from Oregon’s exempt poultry processors ranged from very high (> 60%) to very low (0/15). The processing facility that produced carcasses with no detectable Salmonella had few birds carrying Salmonella, but processing practices were successful at preventing spread to carcasses. The facility with high rates of Salmonella in carcasses also had an exceptionally high rate in live birds, which was not mitigated by processing. On-farm production practices should be evaluated to identify best practices to mediate the spread of Salmonella in live birds.