The influence of protein source and basal dietary component on survival in acute experimental fowl typhoid in the chick (Gallus domesticus).

Abstract

1. The influence of diet on the survival of chicks inoculated orally at 15 d of age with Salmonella gallinarum was determined, and in the first experiment the numbers of salmonellae were counted in blood 5 or 7 d after inoculation to assess their value in predicting survival. 2. Significantly more chicks survived among those given beef powder as the protein supplement in a starch-based diet than among those where fish flour replaced beef powder. The number of salmonellae in blood was significantly higher in chicks given the fish-flour diet than in those given the beef-powder diet, but the relationship between the number of viable organisms in blood and the final survival rate was not close. 3. Whale meat and soya-bean protein gave high survival rates, similar to that given by beef powder, and casein plus gelatin was slightly poorer in this respect. 4. For each high-protein food the level of survival from the acute disease was significantly greater with wheat than with starch as the basal component of the diet. 5. The addition of either condensed beef extract or fish solubles to a standard diet did not influence survival.