Inoculation of Broiler Chicks with a Continuous-Flow Derived Bacterial Culture Facilitates Early Cecal Bacterial Colonization and Increases Resistance to Salmonella typhimurium

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to examine the effect of a continuous-flow (CF) derived bacterial culture and of dietary lactose on colonization level by anaerobic bacteria in the ceca of broiler chicks. Cecal facultative and strictly anaerobic bacteria colony forming units (CFU), total volatile fatty acid (TVFA), lactic and propionic acid concentrations in 3-d-old chicks, and cecal log₁₀ Salmonella typhimurium colonization and propionic acid concentrations in 10-d-old chicks were measured. Treatment groups were control diet, 2% lactose diet, CF culture + control diet, and CF culture + 2% lactose diet. Groups inoculated with CF culture had decreased (P < 0.05) Salmonella in cecal contents at 10 d of age. The level of Salmonella protection was significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with increased cecal bacteria CFU, TVFA, and propionic acid concentrations in 3-d-old chicks. Results indicated that inoculating newly hatched chicks with CF culture containing cecal microflora originally obtained from adult chickens, facilitates early cecal colonization by native cecal microflora, and this is associated with protection against Salmonella.