Short communicationEffect of non-pharmaceutical compounds on shedding and colonization of Salmonella enterica serovar Heidelberg in broilers

The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of four non-pharmaceutical compounds on performance, mortality of broilers and their ability to reduce colonization and fecal shedding of Salmonella Heidelberg (SH) in broilers following SH challenge and feed withdrawal. Chicks were randomly assigned to water treatments containing organic acids (OA), essential oils (EO), lactic acid (LA), levulinic acid plus sodium dodecyl sulfate (L + SDS) or no added compounds (CON). Treatments were administered in drinking water on 0-7 and 35-42 days. One-half of the chicks were challenged with SH and placed in pens with unchallenged chicks on day one. Performance and mortality were determined during the 42-day study. Prevalence of SH was determined on drag swabs (0, 14 and 42 days) and in the ceca and crops (42 days). Broilers receiving EO had significantly (P < 0.05) greater weight gain and lower mortality than other treatments. Salmonella Heidelberg was absent from drag swabs on day 0, but present at 14 and 42 days. Challenged and unchallenged broilers receiving EO and LA had significantly (P < 0.05) lower SH in crops than other treatments. The essential oils and lactic acid used in the study may control SH contamination in crops of broilers when administered in drinking water.