ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to assess the bacteriological quality of poultry feed sold in umuahia, Abia State. A total of Eight (8) different types of Poultry feeds were obtained from two different commercial feed-manufacturing companies (Top feeds and Vita feeds) at Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. 1g of each sample was serially diluted and was streaked on the plate and incubated for 24hrs at 370C. The mean bacterial count of the various poultry feeds showed that  Top feed ranged from 1.0 x 104 to 8.0 x 104 while Vita feeds ranged from 0.9 x 104 to 6.5 x 104. Six different bacterial species were isolated. These were E.coli, Bacillus species, Proteus species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella species and Staphylococcus aureus. The predominant organism was E.coli having 30.8% occurrence followed by Bacillus species 23.1% while Klebsiella species and Staphylococcus aureus have the least percentage occurrence of 7.7%. The antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the isolates showed the highest level of sensitivity to Rifampicin, Streptomycin and Levofloxacin but resistance to Amoxil, Ciproflox, Norfloxacin, Chloramphenicol, Erythromycin, Gentamicin and Ampiclox. Hence, incooperation of antibiotics to poultry feeds and in the management program of poultry farming is recommended. Also, the hygienic production of poultry feed is of public health concern, therefore, the control of bacterial infections should be approached through cleanliness, disinfection and intensive supportive nursing care, proper treatment of feed ingredients and application of hygienic measures starting from harvesting of feed ingredients to storage, processing of feeds, packaging, transporting and eventual marketing of the bagged feeds.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgements iv

Table of Contents v

Lists of Tables vii

Abstract viii

CHAPTER ONE 

1.0 Introduction 1

1.2 Aim and Objectives    5

CHAPTER TWO 

2.0 Literature Review 6

2.1 Sources Of Contamination  11

2.1.1 Ingredient Contamination    11

2.2. Storage (Temperature And Humidity) 11

2.3 Handling And Transportation 12

2.4 Bacteria Contamination Of Poultry Feeds 12

2.5 Types Of Bacterial Contamination Of Poultry Feeds 14

2.5.1 Salmonella Contamination Of Poultry Feed 15

2.5.2 Escherichia coli 16

2.5.3  Klebsiella species 16

2.5.4  Proteus species 17

2.5.5 Hafnia alvei 17

2.5.6  Bacillus species 17

2.5.7 Staphylococcus aureus  18

2.5.8 Streptococcus species 18

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Materials and Methods 19

3.1 Sample Collection 19

3.2 Materials 19

3.3 Media Used    19 

3.4 Reagents 19

3.5 Preparation of Media    19

3.6 Microbiological Analysis  20

3.7 Isolation And Identification Of Bacterial Isolates  20

3.7.1 Cultural Characteristics  20

3.7.2 Gram Staining 20

3.7.3 Motility Test 21

3.7.4 Biochemical Tests 21

3.7.4.1 Catalase Test 21

3.7.4.2 Coagulase Test 21`

3.7.4.3 Oxidase Test  22

3.7.4.4 Methyl Red Test 23

3.7.4.5 Voges- Proskauer Test  23

3.7.4.6 Indole Test 24

3.7.4.7 Citrate Utilization Test  24

3.7.4.8 Urease Test 24

3.7.4.9 Triple Sugar Iron Agar Test 24

3.8 Antibiotic Sensitivity 25

CHAPTER FOUR 

  4.0 Results  26

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0       Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendation 31

5.1 Discussion 31

5.2 Conclusion 32

5.3 Recommendations 33

References