Characteristics of lactobacilli isolated from the chicken intestine.

Nine strains of lactobacilli isolated from different parts of the intestinal tract of chicken were studied to determine their taxonomy and cultural characteristics. The experimental scheme included physiological and biochemical tests, morphological observations and determination of fermentation products from glucose. All isolates were heterofermentative organisms assigned to the Lactobacillus fermentum species. The relevance of intestinal lactobacilli to the nutrition of chickens was discussed.