Use of Natural Strategies to Alleviate Enteric Pathogens in Organic Poultry

The overall goal is to study the effectiveness of natural strategies in the control of enteric problems such as necrotic enteritis and Salmonella and Campylobacter infection and promote gut health in poultry raised under organic conditions, while assisting organic poultry producers to comply with the requirements of the National Organic Program. Specific research objectives for the University of Connecticut are: 1. Evaluate the effectiveness of management strategies to prevent and control Salmonella in organic poultry and 2. Conduct on-farm testing of effectiveness of treatments and strategies against Salmonella in organic poultry production systems. The results of the project and information on organic poultry production in general, will be disseminated to the organic and sustainable agriculture communities by an extension team composed of experienced poultry specialists and stakeholders who have been involved in organic poultry production. The outreach/extension objectives of this proposal are to: 1. Disseminate results of the project to the organic poultry community, through numerous delivery methods including conferences, electronic and printed materials, and training activities in a research and teaching oriented organic poultry facility; 2. Conduct outreach to organic poultry producers, avian health professionals, extension specialists and other interested stakeholders regarding the objectives and results of this project; 3. Measure the impact of outreach in reducing enteric pathogens and foodborne pathogens in organic poultry production.