MICROORGANISMS IN THE INTESTINAL TRACT OF NORMAL CHICKENS

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Abstract
Quantitative studies on the intestinal microflora of normal chickens at various ages show that newly hatched chicks harbor very few microorganisms in their intestinal tracts. This remains true for the 21 hr. period following hatching during which the chicks were not fed. After the chicks were given food and water, the numbers of all groups of bacteria studied (lactics, coliforms, enterococci, aerobic and anaerobic spore-formers) increased very rapidly until 16 hrs. after the first feeding, when the numbers of all groups at all levels of the tract reached a peak. The numbers of bacteria of all groups studied were found to be highest in the contents of the cecal pouches, and progressively lower in the contents of the colon, ileum, and duodenum. All quantitative data were subjected to statistical analysis to establish the significance of variations in numbers observed. Unidentified species of lactobacilli appear to be the most numerous group of bacteria in the intestinal tract of the normal chicken. Escherichia coli was found to be the predominant coliform. Streptococcus faecalis the predominant enterococcus, and Clostridium perfringens the predominant anaerobic spore-former. Aerobic spore-formers appeared to be transient members of the intestinal flora, and were not of numerical significance. Methods used are described in detail.