Saline, chlorhexidine, and povidone-iodine alone or in combination with iodine povacrylex are effective antiseptics in chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the topical antiseptic activity of saline, chlorhexidine (CHX), and povidone-iodine (PI) scrubs on the skin of chickens with or without the addition of DuraPrep (DP).

ANIMALS: 7 healthy adult Orpington hens (Gallus gallus domesticus).

METHODS: The right apterium corporale laterale was swabbed for standard aerobic bacterial culture and colony-forming unit (CFU) determination. The apterium was divided into 3 areas and treated with sterile saline, CHX, or PI. Samples were collected by swabbing each area before and after additional treatment with DP. CFU's were counted after 48 hours of incubation. Statistical analysis was performed using a linear mixed model with a continuous outcome.

RESULTS: Compared to saline, CHX and PI treatment without DP decreased CFU count by 119 (95% CI, 55 to 183; P < .001) and 123 (95% CI, 58 to 187; P < .001), respectively. The application of DP after CHX and PI further decreased CFU counts by 6 (P = .01) and 9 (P = .01), respectively. DP after saline treatment decreased counts by 128 CFU (95% CI, 63 to 192; P < .001). No significant difference was detected between saline, PI, or CHX after DP application (-1.0 CFU; 95% CI, 63.4 to -65.4; P = .98 for both PI and CHX).

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: CHX or PI provided greater reductions in bacterial CFU than saline, and all combinations with DP provided similar results. No notable cutaneous reactions were detected at any point. This data suggests that a scrub protocol including CHX or PI with DP is acceptable in surgical site preparation of chickens.