EFFECT OF ALL VEGETABLE AND ANIMAL PROTEIN DIETS ON PATHOGENRECUTION, AND QUALITY OF BROILERS

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this project are to determine if the bacterial loads (i.e. Campylobacter jejuni, Sallmonella) in broilers differ between being fed vegetarian diets and ainmal protein diets; compare the physical (texture, fat, color) and sensory (taste, juiciness, tenderness) qualities of broiler meat fed vegetarian and animal protein diets and determine consumer preferences, attitudes and behavior; evaluate the production and processing responses of two different genetic strains and sexes of broilers fed a vegetarian diet.

APPROACH: The approach will be undertaken utilizing different broiler strains to be fed diets composed of all plant ingredients and some with animal proteins. The use of rations without animal proteins will change certain properties of the meat, thereby requiring assessment of consumer preferences.

PROGRESS: 1996/10 TO 1999/09

Campylobacter jejuni is one of the most frequent agent of human astroenteritis in the United States and has been associated with the consumption of poultry. Efforts to understand the colonization/ transmission process in the poultry production environment were undertaken by studying the influence of diet and feeding practices. The approach to intervene and diminish Campylobacter jejuni in the intestinal tract by feeding diets free of animal products was not successful as noted by some researchers working with Salmonella in other countries. The feeding of diets void of animal protein did influence production performance or physical properties to a significant degree.

IMPACT: 1996/10 TO 1999/09

The impact of this study eliminates any possibilities that diet and feeding practices influence the colonization/transmission process of Campylobacter jejuni with broiler chickens.

PUBLICATIONS: 1996/10 TO 1999/09

1. Willis, W.L., D. Sessoms, and C. Murray. 1999. Influence of feeding patterns on the Presence of Campylobacter jejuni in Broiler Chickens. 10^th International Workshop on Campylobacter, Helicobacter and Related Organisms. Baltimore, Maryland. Abstract.

2. Willis, W.L., C. Murray, and C. Talbott. 1999. Effect of Delayed Placement on the Incidence of Campylobacter jejuni in Broiler Chickens. Poultry Sci. (In Review).

PROJ NO: NCX-140-5-97-120-1 AGENCY: CSRS NC.X
PROJ TYPE: EVANS-ALLEN PROJ. STATUS: TERMINATED
START: 01 OCT 1996 TERM: 30 SEP 1999 FY: 1999

INVESTIGATOR: Willis, W.; Hinds, M. J.; Mendonca, A.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
ANIMAL SCIENCE
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIV
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA 27411