Piglet selection
In order to select Salmonella-negative piglets, six sows from each selected herd
were chosen through a bacteriological and serological screening process, which was
repeated three times. From each sow, three piglets were screened as well. Finally,
the sows with the lowest S/P ratios were selected to provide the experimental piglets.
The average S/P ratio for the sampled piglets (at the time of the third screening
at the age of 8 days) was 0.07 ± 0.10 (standard deviation).
A total of 69 piglets from six different sows were selected, weaned at 19 days of
age and then transported to the experimental animal facilities of CODA-CERVA in a
thoroughly cleaned and disinfected trailer