An ecological survey was conducted from March, 1995 to February 1996 to determine sources of Salmonella colonization in two flocks of turkeys reared consecutively in a newly constructed facility. Sampling was conducted prior to placement of poults, at Day 0, and again at 2, 10, 14, and 18 wk. Samples were collected at comparable times for the second flock except that final sampling occurred at 22 wk instead of 18 wk. Poult box liners, birds, new litter, drinkers, and air were sampled. Feed was collected from each shipment upon arrival at the facility. Feeders, drinkers, and used litter were monitored to evaluate horizontal transmission. Conventional methods for isolation and serological screening were used to analyze samples for the presence or absence of Salmonella. Prior to placement of the first flock, litter, drinkers, and air samples were negative for the presence of Salmonella, whereas drinkers were positive prior to placement of the second flock. Following placement of poults, 51.1, 63.8, and 22.8% of all litter, drinker, and air samples, respectively, were positive. Salmonella was isolated from 13.6% of poult box liners, 25.0% of yolk sac samples, and 53.8% of ceca, excluding Day 0. Salmonella was isolated from 14.8% of feed shipments and 39.1% of feeder contents. Frequency of Salmonella detection was higher P < 0.05) in Flock 1 than Flock 2 for cecal and air samples. Salmonella colonization of turkey flocks and the spread of Salmonella within the environment was extensive once initial contamination of the production house occurred. Drinkers, feeders, litter, and air were critical sources of horizontal transmission within each pen as well as between pens.

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Three trials were conducted to study the effects of a high flow volume (2.3 mL/s) nipple waterer (HFN) versus a low flow volume (.4 mL/s) nipple waterer (LFN) on the productive performance of broiler chickens as measured by average body weight (kilograms), average feed conversion (kilograms:kilogram), and percentage mortality rate. Equal numbers of male and female birds were used during Trial 1; only male birds were used during Trials 2 and 3. All trials were conducted during the summer months. An attempt was made during Trial 2 to expose the birds to artificial heat stress. No differences were seen during any of the trials in feed conversion between the two treatments. In Trial 1 the only significant difference (P less than or equal to .05) exhibited was in average male body weight (1.87 kg HFN; 1.84 kg LFN). A highly significant difference (P less than or equal to .01) was seen in average body weight (1.75 kg HFN; 1.64 kg LFN) during Trial 2. Average body weight difference during Trial 3 was highly significant at 42 days of age but not at Day 49. Mortality rate figures during Trial 2 indicate a highly significant difference during the 38-day period prior to heat stress (2.2% LFN; .4% HFN), and significant difference during the heat stress period (38 to 44 days; 2.9% LFN; 1.5% HFN). During Trial 3 mortality rate differences were significant by 49 days (20.6% LFN; 11.4% HFN) although there was no difference at 42 days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)