DETECTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM POULTRY FEED AND LITTER USED IN COMMERCIAL FARMS

Abstract

The present research work was conducted to detect and characterize the bacterial contaminants in the poultry litter and feed, For this study samples were collected from the different broiler farms namely Israful Poultry Farm, Basherhat; Harun Poultry Farm, Basherhat; Tarikul Poultry Farm, Basherhat; Vai-Vai Poultry Farm, Kornai (Katapara), under the district of Dinajpur. Six litter samples and equal number of feed samples were collected from each poultry farm. A total of 48 samples were collected and brought to the Laboratory of Microbiology for laboratory assay. The amples were inoculated in to nutrient broth and nutrient agar media followed by culture on selective media such as Eosin Methylene Blue agar, MacConkey agar, Brilliant Green agar, Salmonella-Shigella agar. Biochemical properties of the isolates were also studied and reaction in TSI agar slant was observed. MIU test, MR test and VP test etc. were also performed. Gram's staining techniques were also performed. Total numbers of 48 samples were examined and 30 samples were found to be positive for E. coli and the prevalence of EF. coli in this study was 62.50 %. Total 9 (37.50%) of feed samples were found positive for E. coli within 24 tested samples where as 21 (87.50%) of litter samples were positive within equal number of tested samples for this bacteria. On the other hand 23 samples were found positive to Salmonella and the prevalence of Salmonella in this study was 47.92 %. Total 7 (29.17%) of feed samples were positive for Salmonella within 24 tested samples where as 16 (66.67%) of litter samples were positive within equal number of tested samples for this bacteria. The widespread occurrence of FE. coli and Salmonella in poultry feeds and litter reinforces the need for effective control measures, biosecurity, hygiene in processing and handling of feeds and litter.