A longitudinal survey to detect enteric viruses in intestinal contents collected from turkeys in eight commercial operations and one research facility was performed using molecular detection methods. Intestinal contents were collected from turkeys prior to placement, with each flock resampled at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 wk of age. The samples were screened for astrovirus, rotavirus, reovirus, and turkey coronavirus (TCoV) by a reverse transcriptase and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and for groups 1 and 2 adenovirus by PCR. Rotavirus was the only virus detected prior to placement (7 of 16 samples examined). All of the commercial flocks were positive for rotavirus and astrovirus from 2 until 6 wk of age, and most were intermittently positive until 12 wk of age, when the birds were processed. Of the 96 samples collected from birds on the farms, 89.5% were positive for astrovirus, and 67.7% were positive for rotavirus. All flocks were negative for TCoV, reovirus, and group 1 adenovirus at all time points, and positive for group 2 adenovirus (hemorrhagic enteritis virus) at 6 wk of age. All the flocks monitored were considered healthy or normal by field personnel. Turkeys placed on research facilities that had been empty for months and thoroughly cleaned had higher body weights and lower feed conversion rates at 5 wk of age when compared to turkeys placed on commercial farms. Intestinal samples collected at 1, 2, and 3 wk of age from these turkeys were free of enteric viruses. This report demonstrates that astroviruses and rotaviruses may be present within a turkey flock through the life of the flock. Comparison of infected birds with one group of turkeys that were negative for enteric viruses by the methods used here suggests that astrovirus and/or rotavirus may affect production. The full impact on flock performance needs to be further determined.

Whole carcass yield and the yield of parts (i.e., wings, saddle and legs, Pectoralis major, Pectoralis minor, breast skin, rack, abdominal fat pad, heart, and lungs), as well as whole carcass analysis for fat, moisture, and ash, were measured in the 1957 Athens-Canadian Randombred Control (ACRBC) and in the 1991 Arbor Acres (AA) feather-sexable strain, when fed "typical" 1957 and 1991 diets. Using the average of both sexes, the carcass weights of the 1991 birds on the 1991 diets were 4.4, 3.9, and 3.5 times heavier than those from the 1957 ACRBC on the 1957 diet at 43, 71, and 84 d of age, respectively. Birds fed the 1991 diets had significantly heavier carcass weights than those fed the 1957 diets. Hot carcass yield of the AA broiler (mean of both sexes) was approximately 6 to 7% higher at the same age than for the ACRBC. Water uptake in the carcass (following a 60-min immersion in ice water) was approximately 2 to 2.5% higher in the ACRBC than in the AA broiler. Yield of saddle and legs as a percentage of live BW was about 4% higher in the AA than in the ACRBC. Dietary regimen did not affect the yield of saddle and legs. Males had 2 to 3% more saddle and legs than the females. The yield of total breast meat for the AA was approximately 3% higher (mean = 16.9%) than for the ACRBC over both sexes and all ages. Breast yield on the 1991 diets was approximately 1.2% higher for the AA than for the ACRBC. Females had slightly higher breast yield (1%) than males. The AA broiler had consistently heavier fat pads and higher percentage carcass fat at the same age and on the same diet than did the ACRBC. The percentage carcass fat was significantly higher on the 1991 vs the 1957 diet and in females vs males. The male-female difference in percentage carcass fat increased with age. Heart and lung size as a percentage of live BW were lower in the AA than in the ACRBC.

A survey of contamination with Salmonella was done in the breeder/multiplier and broiler houses, feed mills, hatcheries, and processing plants of two integrated broiler firms. Samples of insects and mice were also collected at each location. Sixty percent (60%) of the meat and bone meal samples collected at feed mills were contaminated. Salmonella was isolated from 35% of the mash feed samples tested. The pelleting process reduced Salmonella isolation rates by 82.0%. Data collected from breeder/multiplier houses suggested that feed was the ultimate source of Salmonella contamination in that environment. Salmonella was found in 9.4% of the yolk sac samples collected from day-old chicks in hatcheries. Fecal dropping samples collected in broiler houses about one week prior to slaughter were contaminated at a rate of 5.2%. Salmonella was found in 33% of the samples collected from live haul trucks and 21.4% of the whole processed broiler carcasses sampled at processing plants. Salmonella typhimurium was the serotype most commonly isolated. The gastrointestinal tract of one of 19 mice sampled was contaminated with Salmonella. Data suggest that insects were primarily mechanical carriers. Results suggest Salmonella contamination in the U.S. broiler production and processing system has changed little since 1969. The data also underline the contention that effective Salmonella control efforts must be comprehensive.

Egg samples were collected from various stages of an egg processing operation and from the attached production facility. Salmonella was isolated from 72.0% of all samples collected from the laying house environment. Recovery of Salmonella from flush water, ventilation fan, egg belt, and egg collector samples were (positive samples/total samples collected): 2/2, 4/4, 16/22, and 14/22, respectively. Salmonella was found on 7 of the 90 eggshells sampled before processing and 1 of 90 eggshells sampled after processing, but Salmonella was not found in the 180 eggs analyzed for internal contamination following processing. The one eggshell found positive for Salmonella following processing was detected when the pH of wash water samples was lowest (10.19). The 60 isolates from production facilities included the following Salmonella serotypes: S. agona, S. typhimurium, S. infantis, S. derby, S. heidelberg, S. california, S. montevideo, S. mbandaka, and untypable. The 22 isolates obtained from eggshells prior to processing were serotyped as S. heidelberg and S. montevideo. All five isolates obtained from eggshells after processing were serotyped as S. heidelberg. These data suggest that although the shells of about 1% of commercial eggs are contaminated with Salmonella, contamination of the internal contents of eggs with Salmonella is a rare event.