Abstract:
The study took place in Soroti city to evaluation of microbial load of selected broiler feeds sold among different companies. The general objective was to evaluate the microbial load of selected broiler feeds sold among different companies in Soroti city, while the specific objectives were to determine microbial load in starter feeds of different companies sold in Soroti City and to identification and isolation of microbial load of broiler feeds of different feed companies in Soroti city. The study employed quantitative data approach, descriptive statistics specifically to establish frequencies and percentages and ANOVA was used to determine microbial load difference among different starter feed companies in Soroti city. The study revealed that there was no significant difference in total microbial load on starter feeds for different companies within the study scope and it’s an indicator that the null hypothesis is true.
The results for the study indicated that, the median of the colony formation unit was in the range of 5.5 to 6.5 with the margine of error of 0,05. Flavour animals feed company had 6.5 CFU, Jubihuli with (6.2log) Plan B poultry farm (6.0 log) and Nsava had bacterial load of (5.2 log). The colony forming units of salmonella was with the P=V of 0.79 (df3) and E. coli with the P=V of 0.73 (df3). The mean value of E. coli was in the range of 6.2 to 5.6 CFU Flavour feed company had the highest bacterial load for E. coli with 6.2 CFU. Jubihuli and plan B poultry farm with the bacterial load of 6.1 CFU and 6.1CFU respectively. However, Nsava had the smallest bacterial load for E. coli of 5.6 CFU.
Similarly, mean value for Salmonella was in the range of 1.3 to 3.14 CFU. Jubihuli had the highest bacterial load for salmonella with 3.14 CFU followed by favor with 3.0 CFU, Nsava with, and 2.9 CFU. Plan B poultry farm had the least bacterial load with 1.3 CFU. This indicates that microbial load affects all companies equally, this indicates that every broiler feed companies are equallyaffected in Soroti city.
The study recommended to establish and enforce strict quality control measures across all feed companies to minimize variations in microbial loads. Regular monitoring and testing can help identify potential contamination sources and ensure compliance with safety standards. Given the prevalence of Salmonella contamination, companies, especially Jubihuli, should focus on improving control measures throughout the production chain. This may involve reassessing raw material handling, processing methods, and storage conditions to minimize the risk of Salmonella proliferation. More researches can be done to evaluate E-coli and salmonella on finisher broilers feeds since this research only focused on starter feeds. Other research could also broaden the scope of their studies beyond broilers feeds and also beyond Soroti City to establish E-coli and salmonella in animal’s feed.
Keywords: Microbial load, starter feeds, broiler feed, ANOVA. Descriptive statistics
