The effect of management factors on the intestinal bacteria and the growth rate of chicks

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Abstract
1. The apparent cleanliness of the premises in which chicks are reared has little bearing on the growth rate of chicks within a given environment.2. Bacterial counts of faeces from chicks reared under clean or extremely contaminated conditions showed no difference between the two sets of conditions.3. Delaying feeding until 72 hr. after hatching retarded growth to at least 7 weeks of age. If the age of the chicks was calculated from the time at which the chicks were fed rather than the date of hatch, the weights of the chicks fed 72 hr. after hatching corresponded with those of the chicks fed immediately.4. The contents of the duodenum and mesenteric intestine showed higher bacterial counts when feeding was delayed for 72 hr. than when feed was given shortly after hatching. This effect was no longer evident after the chicks were 1 week old.5. Administration of penicillin in the water did not reduce the difference in growth rates between the chicks given feed immediately and those from which feed was withheld.6. Antibiotics may decrease the thickness of the intestinal wall without stimulating growth.