Efficacy of Sodium Bisulfate or Sodium Chloride for Reducing Broiler House Floor Microbial Populations

Abstract

SUMMARY Sodium bisulfate is often applied to acid shock poultry house dirt floors following litter removal. Some farms utilize sodium chloride (salt) as a floor treatment. A field study was conducted to compare the efficacy of sodium bisulfate or salt for reducing broiler house floor microbial populations following litter removal. Commercial broiler houses were chosen as the test sites. Floor plots were established under feed and water lines throughout the house. In trials 1 and 2, treatments consisted of (1) control; (2) sodium bisulfate, and (3) Farmer s Coop fine rock salt. Floor plots were aseptically swabbed using a sterile cellulose sponge pre‐treatment and at 24 h and 72 h post‐treatment. Samples were cultured to determine populations of total aerobic bacteria, Escherichia coli, total coliforms, yeast, mold and the presence of Staphylococcus spp. Floor plot surface pH was also measured. In both trials, salt had no effect on surface pH and populations of total aerobic bacteria and mold and limited to no impact on yeast populations. Sodium bisulfate showed significant reductions in floor pH and populations of total aerobic bacteria, yeast, and mold in both trials. E. coli and total coliform counts were reduced over time regardless of treatment. Staphylococcus spp. presence in samples was reduced from 100% pre‐treatment to 80%, 60%, and 0% positive 72 h post‐treatment in control, salt, and sodium bisulfate treatments, respectively. Sodium bisulfate proved effective for reducing microbial populations on a broiler house floor while salt showed limited to no effect.