Use of Natural Strategies to Alleviate Enteric Pathogens in Organic Poultry

Our 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 are: 1. Evaluate the effectiveness of management strategies to prevent and control enteric pathogens in organic poultry; 2. Control enteric pathogens causing diseases such as necrotic enteritis in organic poultry production systems; 3. Reduce the incidence of foodborne pathogens including Salmonella and Campylobacter in organic poultry production and 4. On farm testing of effectiveness of treatments and strategies against enteric pathogens 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 comprised 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.