Types and number of samples collected throughout the chicken meat production chain.

<p>Area of boot swab sampling at downtime period included anteroom of the target house, inside the target house and area around the house. Area of boot swab sampling during the rearing period included path-leading to the house, anteroom of the target house, inside the target house, area around the house and inside the adjacent house. Flocks D and E were visited at 7^th, 14^th, 21^st, 28^th, 35^th day of the rearing period, while other flocks were visited at 7^th, 14^th, 17^th, 21^st, 24^th, 28^th, 31^st, 35^th, 38^th day of the rearing period.