09.02.2011

During the fattening period of a broiler flock four different litter materials (peat, chopped straw, shavings, silage) were tested simultaneously. The separated sections were tested for the presence of Salmonella bacteria. According to the various types of bedding materials some differences in the frequency of Salmonella detection were found. With three samples out of six samples being positive, wood shavings showed the highest Salmonella prevalence, followed by peat with two positive results. Corn silage was found to be a suitable alternative for common litter materials and revealed only one positive sample. Chopped straw was found to be free of Salmonella in our study. However, the latter had a higher risk for negative side effects concerning animal health and house climate. The study showed that the choice of an appropriate litter material might be of considerable importance in order to decrease the Salmonella burden within poultry flocks (Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr (2011), 124:71-77).