Probiotic Administrations of Lactobacillus reuteri Moderate Avian Growth Depression in Turkeys

Abstract

Deaths and growth depression inevitably occur when newly hatched chickens or turkeys are exposed to microbiological and/or environmental stressors. This phenomenon, termed avian growth depression (AGD), is cited as the costliest disease affecting the poultry industry. The studies presented in this report were undertaken to determine if this disease could be induced in turkey poults under controlled laboratory conditions, and if so, could its mortality and morbidity consequences be prevented or moderated by probiotic treatment with a turkey-specific strain of Lactobacillus reuteri. Evidence is presented showing that both objectives were realized. AGD could be induced by subjecting newly hatched birds to a mild intermittant cooling during their first 48 hr posthatch, and early probiotic intervention resulted in colonization of the gastrointestinal tract with L. reuteri accompanied by significant moderation of the disease.