Natural campylobacter colonization in chickens raised under different environmental conditions

A cross-sectional study of 447 laying hens (age range 0-65 weeks) and a longitudinal study of 164 similar birds showed that Campylobacter jejuni was not present in the faeces of newly hatched chicks, but that colonization arose after 5-9 weeks. A survey of 250 broilers obtained from four breeders showed that all were negative for C. jejuni before and after slaughter at the age of 5 weeks. Once C. jejuni had appeared in a flock, it rapidly spread to virtually all birds, but at the age of 42 weeks only 20-46% of birds remained colonized, possibly as a result of having developed immunity. Birds housed in the protective environment of a laboratory still became colonized (after 9 weeks). The mode of infection is unknown, but water and food were bacteriologically negative and were deemed to be unlikely sources. Transmission via attendants, flies or other insects remain possibilities. It is concluded that prevention of colonization might be possible within the life-span of broiler chickens (5-7 weeks), but that it would be difficult to extend this period. There is a need to define how colonization arises so that the feasibility and cost of possible preventive measures can be assessed.