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Abstract
Broiler houses introduce high levels of particulate matter (PM) and airborne bacteria which may lead to health concerns and pathogenic transfer in birds and handlers. The purpose of this study is measure levels of PM and airborne bacteria at different locations in a small-scale research poultry house over the course of a broiler chicken grow-out while monitoring other air quality and house quality factors such as humidity, temperature, and litter moisture. Furthermore, antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed on airborne E. coli isolates to develop an antibiotic resistance profile across 14 different drugs. Our goal was to better understand PM and airborne bacteria concentrations and antibiotic resistant profiles to determine human and bird risk associated with PM and airborne bacteria exposure during grow-out. Understanding the factors that most significantly impact increased levels of PM and bacteria will allow future remediation effects to focus efforts to save time, money, and animal life.