Bacteria levels in poultry barns can be cut by using ozone treatments, preliminary research at the University of Saskatchewan has found.
Al Finney, of Envron Environmental Inc., said airborne bacteria levels dropped 44 percent in barns where ozone generators were used last summer.
“We weren’t expecting such a great reduction,” he said.
The research was conducted by the university and the Regina company to determine the effect ozonation would have on poultry body weight and feed consumption and to monitor ammonia and microbial levels.
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Ozone is a gas used to control odor. It works by oxidizing, or breaking down, organic substances into base compounds, which causes odors to disappear.
Amounts must be closely regulated because high levels can be dangerous for animals and people.
Because it was summer, and the U of S barns were well-ventilated, the tests found ozone had no effect on feed consumption or body weight of the birds. Ammonia levels were not affected either.
A research report by Henry Classen, professor of poultry management and nutrition at the university, said these results were expected.
However, the significant reduction in airborne microorganisms was noteworthy.
“This result is interesting and requires confirmation in larger scale experiments,” Classen wrote. “The significance of this effect remains unknown but one can speculate that it might have beneficial effects on bird health and possibly productivity.”
He said further research under less than ideal environmental conditions is needed.
For Finney, the results confirm earlier work done at commercial barns near Regina.
In one poultry barn where ozone has been used, there have been two consecutive negative salmonella tests, he said.
In a layer barn, ammonia levels have dropped 60 percent and there has been an increase in production of 40 cents per bird.
“If you lower the indoor pollution levels, the animals are going to perform better in that barn,” Finney said.
Ozone works so well to destroy bacteria, he said, because it actually breaks down cell walls.
“Bacteria can’t develop a resistance to ozone,” he said. “It’s incredibly promising technology for the industry.”
He said another round of testing at the university is under way, this time with broilers.
Envron is also working with the British Columbia agriculture department to evaluate the use of ozone in controlling odor from a mushroom composting facility.
Finney said the company hopes to join with hog producers to test the technology. He said ozonation could have implications for the export market.
