Microbial status of meat chicken flocks in population level samples

Chapters 1 and 2 contain the data collected from 16 flocks at 8 commercial farms. Out of 8 farms, 4 were high performing and 4 were low performing farms. Excreta samples were collected from the floor (n = 4/flocks)and dust samples were collected using a dust collection jar (n=2/flock).<br>
In chapter 3, samples (caecum, ileum, excreta, litter and dust) were collected from experimental chicken flocks to compare the microbial composition between the invasive (caecum and ileum) and non-invasive samples (excreta, litter and dust).