Role of Adhering Microflora in Competitive Exclusion of Salmonella from Young Chicks

Abstract
Adherence of gut microflora from Salmonella-free adult birds to the ceca of newly hatched chicks, and their role in protection against Salmonella was examined. The protective microflora remained attached to the cecal wall after four successive washings. Cultures of washed ceca taken from chicks 30 min to 1 h after treatment with fecal culture gave partial protection. Full protection was obtained with cultures from ceca taken 6 to 8 h after treatment.