Attempts to Displace the Indigenous Antibiotic Resistant Gut Flora of Chicken by Feeding Sensitive Strains of <i>Escherichia coli</i> Prior to Slaughter

Abstract

Attempts to limit the use of antibiotics have not, in general, resulted in the gut flora in farm animals becoming predominantly sensitive. Partial success has been demonstrated, however, by feeding chickens with antibiotic sensitive Escherichia coli known to be good colonizers of the chicken gut. Where feeding was done prior to slaughter a corresponding reduction in carcass contamination by resistant E. coli was observed.