The evaluation of a continual disinfection program on a commercial broiler chicken farm
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Date
2022
Authors
Beauzec, Deon
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Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
The rise of antibiotic resistance as a global health threat has been linked to overuse of antibiotics, in particular, in the agricultural sector. A post-antibiotic world is fast approaching where antibiotics may be completely ineffective. To delay and prepare for this reality, alternative solutions to the use of antibiotics in animal production are required. Biosecurity describes some of the oldest techniques related to animal health, including infectious agent destruction and exclusion. Novel solutions to biosecurity must be investigated, however the possible loss of production related to halting antibiotic use is a major risk to food security. This study focused on assessing a continuous disinfection program using Virukill®, a modified- didecyldimethylammonium chloride-based disinfectant, for post-placement cleaning and disinfection, direct spray, and administration in water supply, at a commercial scale. This work provides a proof of concept for industrial application of a continuous disinfection program as a biosecurity measure in poultry production. Through bacterial and viral evaluation methods it was established that the continuous disinfection program was equal or better than standard aldehyde disinfectants in reducing viral loads. Organisms that survived the cleaning and disinfection process were also isolated and identified with molecular methods. The possibility of disinfectant resistance was also investigated but no evidence of resistance was observed. It was established that Virukill® was more effective than DDAC and BC in inhibiting the growth of organism isolated. Through growth performance studies this work establishes for the first time that the Virukill® continuous disinfection program improves performance of broilers, and a correlation was established between cleaning efficacy and performance. This work provides a viable alternative biosecurity-based alternative to the use of antibiotics in broiler production.
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Dissertation (M.Sc (Microbiology))--University of the Free State, 2022