Bacteriological findings regarding the hygienic safety of poultry litter intended as an ingredient of feeds for ruminants.

An investigation of poultry litter intended for use in farm feeds showed that 0,37%, 0,49%, 0,25% and 12,3% of the 813 samples tested were contaminated with Clostridium spp., haemolytic Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and 21 different species of Salmonella. The findings clearly underline the hygienically dangerous nature of crude poultry litter. The practical implications of the results are briefly discussed, particularly in view of current regulations.