Symbiotic Husbandry of Chickens and Pigs Does Not Increase Pathogen Transmission Risk

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Microbiology
• Animal Husbandry
• Food Safety

Background:

• Mixed animal husbandry, like pigs and chickens, offers benefits for animal welfare and sustainable agriculture.
• However, concerns exist regarding potential pathogen transmission and increased foodborne illness risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the risk of pathogen transmission between pigs and chickens in a mixed free-range farming system.
• To compare pathogen prevalence (Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., E. coli) in mixed vs. pig-only systems.

Main Methods:

• Fecal and soil samples collected over one year from pigs and chickens in mixed (pasture 1) and pig-only (pasture 2) free-range systems.
• Isolation and identification of Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., and E. coli using MALDI-TOF MS.
• Analysis of bacterial strain similarity using MALDI-TOF MS and FT-IR spectra.

Main Results:

• Salmonella spp. was not detected. Campylobacter spp. prevalences varied between species and pastures but showed no correlation with mixed-rearing.
• E. coli was prevalent in all swab samples, and soil samples showed high E. coli prevalence (78.3% pasture 1, 51.7% pasture 2).
• No significant bacterial strain alterations or cross-species transmission risks were identified via spectral analysis.

Conclusions:

• Symbiotic husbandry of pigs and chickens does not elevate the risk of Campylobacter or E. coli transmission.
• Bacterial analysis indicates no detrimental alterations due to mixed farming.
• The advantages of integrated pig and chicken farming are not compromised by pathogen transmission concerns.