Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.2478/aiht-2021-72-3508
Differences in fungal contamination of broiler litter between summer and winter fattening periods
Mario Ostović
orcid.org/0000-0002-0253-0000
; University of Zagreb Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Hygiene, Behaviour and Welfare, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivica Ravić
; Veterinary Department, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Matija Kovačić
; Kovačić Family Farm, Šopron, Kalnik, Croatia
Anamaria Ekert Kabalin
; University of Zagreb Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Breeding and Livestock Production, Zagreb, Croatia
Kristina Matković
; University of Zagreb Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Hygiene, Behaviour and Welfare, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivana Sabolek
; University of Zagreb Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Hygiene, Behaviour and Welfare, Zagreb, Croatia
Željko Pavičić
; University of Zagreb Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Hygiene, Behaviour and Welfare, Zagreb, Croatia
Sven Menčik
; University of Zagreb Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Breeding and Livestock Production, Zagreb, Croatia
Danijela Horvatek Tomić
; University of Zagreb Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Poultry Diseases with Clinic, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
This study aimed to compare fungal contamination of poultry litter between warm and cold seasons. It was carried out in commercial production conditions over two five-week fattening periods: one in the summer (July-August) and one in the winter (December-January). Broilers were reared on a litter composed of chopped straw and sawdust. Litter fungal concentration and composition were investigated weekly, along with litter temperature, moisture, and pH. Litter concentration of total fungi increased over both fattening periods, with no differences in median concentrations between them. Season also had no effect on yeast, Aspergillus section Nigri, and Cladosporium, Fusarium, and Rhizopus spp. concentrations, while the Aspergillus section Flavi and Aspergillus spp. Combined showed higher concentrations in the summer, and Mucor and Penicillium spp. in the winter. Total fungal concentration highly correlated with litter temperature, moisture, and pH, regardless of the season. Our findings can be useful in the assessment and control of potential harmful effect of fungi on the health of poultry and poultry farm workers.
Keywords
cold season; moisture; mycoflora; pH; poultry; temperature; warm season
Hrčak ID:
258907
URI
Publication date:
15.6.2021.
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