Comparison of a lyophilized chicken-origin competitive exclusion culture, a lyophilized probiotic, and fresh turkey cecal material against Salmonellacolonization

Rapid establishment of adult intestinal flora in day-old turkeys (competiti ve exclusion) has been shown highly effective in reducing Salmonella coloni zation. The efficacy of two commercial products, a chicken-origin lyophiliz ed culture (Aviguard, Bayer Animal Health, Merriam, KS) and a probiotic cul ture (Avian Pac Soluble Plus, Loveland Industries, Greeley, CO) containing only Lactobacillus acidophilus, was compared with that of fresh and 24-hr-o ld adult turkey cecal material using the challenge Mead mode. The Aviguard was protective, but fresh turkey cecal material was significan tly more protective in three of the four trials. Treatment of poults with t he 24-hr-old turkey cecal material and the probiotic did not result in a pr otection factor that would be expected to reduce the Salmonella colonizatio n in turkeys in the field.