Evaluation of linalool, a natural antimicrobial and insecticidal essential oil from basil: effects on poultry.

Linalool is a natural plant-product used in perfumes, cosmetics, and flavoring agents. Linalool has proven antimicrobial and insect-repellent properties, which indicate it might be useful for control of enteropathogens or insect pests in poultry production. However, there are no published reports that linalool may be safely administered to or tolerated by chickens.

Evaluation of an experimental chlorate product as a preslaughter feed supplement to reduce salmonella in meat-producing birds.

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of experimental chlorate product (ECP) feed supplementation on Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) in the crop and ceca of market-age broilers. In trial 1, 160 market-age broilers were randomly assigned to 8 treatment groups and replicated twice, with 20 broilers per pen for 1 wk. Trial 2 used the same design, but used 80 market-age broilers with 10 broilers per pen.

In vitro fermentation response of laying hen cecal bacteria to combinations of fructooligosaccharide prebiotics with alfalfa or a layer ration.

The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of combining a prebiotic with alfalfa on fermentation by laying hen cecal bacteria. Cecal contents from laying hens were diluted to a 1:3,000 concentration with an anaerobic dilution solution and added to serum tubes filled with ground alfalfa or a layer ration with or without fructooligosaccharide (FOS) prebiotic. Samples were processed in an anaerobic hood, pressurized by using a pressure manifold, and incubated at 37 degrees C.

The influence of a fructooligosaccharide prebiotic combined with alfalfa molt diets on the gastrointestinal tract fermentation, Salmonella enteritidis infection, and intestinal shedding in laying hens.

Molting is a natural process, which birds undergo to rejuvenate their reproductive organs. The US poultry egg production industry has used feed withdrawal to effectively induce molt; however, susceptibility of Salmonella Enteritidis has encouraged the development of alternative methods. Previous research conducted in our laboratory showed that alfalfa is effective at molt induction and provides equivalent postmolt production numbers and quality when compared with feed withdrawal.

Foodborne Salmonella ecology in the avian gastrointestinal tract.

Foodborne Salmonella continues to be a major cause of salmonellosis with Salmonella Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium considered to be responsible for most of the infections. Investigation of outbreaks and sporadic cases has indicated that food vehicles such as poultry and poultry by-products including raw and uncooked eggs are among the most common sources of Salmonella infections.