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The Influence of a Fructooligosaccharide Prebiotic Combined with Alfalfa Molt Diets on the Gastrointestinal Tract Fermentation, Salmonella Enteritidis Infection, and Intestinal Shedding in Laying Hens

L. M. Donalson^*,1, J. L. McReynolds, W. K. Kim^*,2, V. I. Chalova^*,3, C. L. Woodward^*, L. F. Kubena, D. J. Nisbet and S. C. Ricke^*,3,4

^* Department of Poultry Science, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843-2472; and USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center, Food and Feed Safety Research Unit, College Station, TX 77845

⁴ Corresponding author: jackson.mcreynolds{at}ars.usda.gov

Molting is a natural process, which birds undergo to rejuvenate their reproductive organs. The US poultry egg production industry has used feed withdrawal to effectively induce molt; however, susceptibility of Salmonella Enteritidis has encouraged the development of alternative methods. Previous research conducted in our laboratory showed that alfalfa is effective at molt induction and provides equivalent postmolt production numbers and quality when compared with feed withdrawal. In the attempt to further increase the efficacy of alfalfa molt diet and decrease the chicken susceptibility to Salmonella Enteritidis during molt, fructooligosaccharide (FOS) was added to a combination of 90% alfalfa and 10% layer ration in 2 levels (0.750 and 0.375%). Ovary and liver colonization by Salmonella Enteritidis in 3 and 2 of the 4 trials, respectively, were reduced (P 0.05) in hens fed FOS-containing diets compared with hens subjected to feed withdrawal. Significant decreases in ce-cal Salmonella Enteritidis counts were also observed in 2 of the 4 trials. In 3 of the 4 trials, the same diets did not affect (P > 0.05) the production of cecal total volatile fatty acids when compared with hens undergoing feed withdrawal. However, in all 3 alfalfa molt diets, the concentrations of lactic acid were greater (P 0.05) than hens with feed withdrawal, but no differences (P > 0.05) were observed among hens fed alfalfa combined with FOS and hens fed alfalfa/layer ration without FOS. Overall, given the similarities between hens fed 0.750% FOS (H) and 0.375% FOS (L), molt diets combined with the lower level of FOS should be sufficient.

Key Words: Salmonella Enteritidis • molting • laying hen • alfalfa • fructooligosaccharide

¹ Current address: Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, San Antonio, TX 78245.

² Current address: Department of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095.

³ Current address: Center for Food Safety and Microbiology, IFSE, and Department of Food Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72704.