Prevalence of salmonellae in broiler, layer and breeder flocks in Thailand

Salmonellae were detected in thirteen broiler flocks, 15 layer flocks and 7 parent breeder flocks in Thailand from October 1991 to August 1992. Salmonellae were isolated from samples of feed, drinking water, cloacal swabs, faeces and litter from all broiler and breeder flocks, and 87% of the layer flocks. From broiler flocks, litter samples were more frequently contaminated than other samples, while feed left over in the layer house and drinking water in the parent breeder house were the most commonly contaminated. Of the total of 1,488 samples examined from all flocks, salmonellae were recovered from samples of litter (42%), water in drinking troughs (36%), feed left over in the feed trays (28%), water in the main tanks (17%), cloacal swabs (13%) and stock feed (8%). The most common serovars associated with the broiler, layer and parent breeder flocks were Salmonella blockley, S. weltevreden and S. amsterdam respectively.