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

Rapid establishment of adult intestinal flora in day-old turkeys (competitive exclusion) has been shown highly effective in reducing Salmonella colonization. The efficacy of two commercial products, a chicken-origin lyophilized culture (Aviguard, Bayer Animal Health, Merriam, KS) and a probiotic culture (Avian Pac Soluble Plus, Loveland Industries, Greeley, CO) containing only Lactobacillus acidophilus, was compared with that of fresh and 24-hr-old adult turkey cecal material using the challenge Mead mode. The Aviguard was protective, but fresh turkey cecal material was significantly more protective in three of the four trials. Treatment of poults with the 24-hr-old turkey cecal material and the probiotic did not result in a protection factor that would be expected to reduce the Salmonella colonization in turkeys in the field.