ABSTRACT
The bacteria contamination associated with poultry feeds from three different companies (vital, Guinea, and Top) were studied using streak plate techniques. The culture media used were nutrient agar and MacConkey agar. The aim/Objective of the study is. To ascertain the microbial safety of poultry feeds, to identify the bacterial types and to determine the microbial load of poultry feed. The microbial mean count was highest in vital feed as 1700 per ml followed by Guinea feed having mean count of 1490 per ml and least microbial mean count was got in top feed. Having 1070 per ml. The study revealed Staphylococcusaureus as the most predominant bacteria organism. Followed bySalmonella typhi, The next bacterial organism isolated wasBacillus cereus with and the least was Pseudomonas aeruginus. Also vital feed has the highest isolation of Staphylococcusaureus. The result showed that the poultry feeds in general had bacterial contamination but the microbial load was minimal increasing with decrease in acidity.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Poultry are collection of birds raised domestically for meat, egg and feathers, chickens, clucks, turkeys and geese are fowl and squabs are chiefly of local interest. These birds are source of income and food to the rarer. In the past, only hens that could no longer produce eggs were killed and sold for meat but by the mid – 20th century, meat production had outstripped egg. Production as a specialized industry (Barnes, K. 1993).
Today, poultry production in the country is increasing at a tremendous rate and yet cannot meet the demand because of population growth and the awareness created by the campaigns for the need of animal protein in the diet. There are different types of feeds given to poultry birds depending on the purpose, these different types are the breeders, starters, growers and layers feeds. The percentage of each ingredient in the feed varies depending on the type of feed. The ingredient includes ground yellow corn, ground oats.
Poultry have been found to be susceptible to infection due to certain microorganisms and man may be secondarily infected through heavy contaminated food such as poultry meat and eggs. Microorganisms that contaminate feed include,Enterobacter, Escherichia coli, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Shigella, Probidence, (Leonard, 1981).
1.1 OBJECTIVE OF STUDY
The objective of this study is to ascertain the microbial safety of poultry feeds production by companies (Vital, Guinea, and Top).
1.2 AIMS OF STUDY
To isolate bacteria that contaminant poultry feeds.
1.3 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Poultry feed is known to contain Salmonella and other microorganisms. (Lapidot, 1990). It is therefore pertinent to carry out microbiological examination of commercially prepared poultry feeds to ascertain their safety to livestock.
1.4 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
This work is limited to bacteria contaminates associated with poultry feeds from three different companies (Top, Guinea, and Vital).
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
At the end of the project work, the results will be a guide to the microbiological safety or otherwise of the commercially prepared poultry feeds.
