88 Effects of two different hatcher basket wash systems on microbial counts

The recently hatched chicks’ umbilicus provides a pathway for the introduction of pathogenic microorganisms. Consequently, sanitation of hatcher basket is crucial to the future success of the chick. The design of this study was to examine the effects of two hatcher basket wash systems on microbial loads and subsequent 7 d chick mortality. Treatment 1 consisted of a single stage wash system and treatment 2 was a Multi-stage wash system. On sampling days, 10 hatcher baskets randomly selected off the chick processing line were individually swabbed pre-washing. A 5.08 cm2 templet placed in the lower left hand corner of each hatcher basket ensured accurate sampling. Following pre-wash sampling each basket was labeled, placed into the wash system, and recovered immediately post washing. A second templet placed in the same location as the first and a post wash swab collected. Samples were collected for 10 non-consecutive days. Following each collection day, each swab was plated on a 3M-Petrifilm Count Plate and allowed to incubate for 48 h at 39.44oC. Following incubation, plates were read to determine total plate count (TPC per cm2). There were no significant (P .05) at either the prewash (993 vs 595) or post wash (38 vs 58). There were no significant differences (P > .05) in 7 day mortality between treatment 1 vs 2 (0.95% vs 1.12%). In conclusion, both wash systems were effective in reducing microbial loads.