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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #98254
Title: CHANGES IN THE NATIVE MICROFLORA,WEIGHT,AND PH OF THE CECA OF TURKEYS SUBJECTED TO FEED WITHDRAWAL

Author
item Hinton Jr, Arthur
item Buhr, Richard - Jeff
item Ingram, Kimberly

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/5/2001
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The effect of feed withdrawal (FW) and crating on the weight, pH, and bacterial flora of the ceca of turkeys were examined. Ceca from turkeys subjected to FW for up to 24 h (on litter or in crates) were weighed then blended in distilled water. The pH of the mixtures were measured; and the number of aerobic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and lactic acid bacteria in the mixtures were determined. Results indicated that no changes in cecal weight occurred during FW. The cecal pH of turkeys subjected to FW on litter was the same as the pH of turkeys not subjected to FW; however, the pH of samples from turkeys subjected to FW in crates was higher. There was an increase in the number of cecal aerobic bacteria in turkeys subjected to 24 h FW with the greatest increase occurring in turkeys subjected to FW on litter. The number of Enterobacteriaceae in turkeys subjected to FW on litter also increased, but there was no increase in Enterobacteriaceae in turkeys in crates. In contrast, cecal lactic acid bacteria decreased in turkeys subjected to 24 h FW on litter and in crates. The decrease in the lactic acid bacteria population was greatest in turkeys subjected to FW in crates. Findings indicate that FW effects the cecal microflora of turkeys and effects differ on litter and in crates.

Technical Abstract: The effect of feed withdrawal (FW) and crating on the weight, pH, and bacterial flora of the ceca of turkeys were examined. Ceca from turkeys subjected to FW for up to 24 h (on litter or in crates) were weighed then blended in 50 ml of distilled water. The pH of cecal suspensions were measured; and aerobes, Enterobacteriaceae, and lactic acid bacteria were enumerated. No significant changes in cecal weight occurred during FW. The pH of cecal samples from turkeys not subjected to FW was 6.48, whereas the pH of samples from turkeys subjected to FW for 24 h on litter or in crates was 6.51 or 7.03, respectively. Cecal aerobes in turkeys subjected to 24 h FW on litter increased log 1.69 colony- forming-units (cfu)/g, while there was a log 0.99 cfu/g increase in turkeys in crates. Enterobacteriaceae increased log 0.69 cfu/g in turkeys subjected to FW on litter, but there was no change in this population in turkeys in crates. In contrast, cecal lactic acid bacteria in turkeys subjected to 24 h FW decreased log 0.95 cfu/g in turkeys on litter and log 1.36 cfu/g in turkeys in crates. Findings indicate that FW effects the cecal microflora of turkeys and effects differ on litter and in crates.