American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 25, 1475-1479, Copyright © 1972 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc.

The avian intestinal flora with particular reference to the possible ecological significance of the cecal anaerobic bacteria

¹ Principal Scientific Officer, Food Research Institute, Colney Lane, Norwich, NOR 70F, England

The typical intestinal flora of the healthy chicken is considered, particularly in relation to the effect of age on the microbial flora of the duodenum, small intestine, and cecum.

Detailed studies have been made with the cecal anaerobic bacteria. It has been found in chickens, turkeys, ducks, guinea fowl, and pheasants that bacteria present at generally more than 10⁹/g cecal material (wet weight) are able to utilize uric acid. The possibility of a uric acid recycling mechanism and its significance in relation to the physiology of the birds are discussed.

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