Nurmi concept for preventing infection of chicks by Salmonella: comparison of fecal suspensions and fecal cultures administered into the crop and in drinking water

Fecal suspensions and anaerobic fecal cultures prepared from adult chicken feces and administered by gavage into the crop or via drinking water were compared for their ability to protect newly hatched chickens against Salmonella infection. Good protection (decreased infection by ≥ 90%) was obtained with as little as 10 g of feces or 10 ml of a fourth serial fecal subculture. The two methods of administration were equally effective. Treatment of chicks with serially passaged fecal cultures via drinking water may provide adequate protection at a minimum cost, and with a low probability of transmitting viral or parasitic agents.