Laboratory Animals > Volume 42, Number 2 > Pp. 185-192

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A small-scale, low-cost isolation system for the incubation and rearing of low bacterial load chicks as a model to study microbial–intestinal interactions

Rebecca E A Forder ^* , Gordon A Firth , David R Tivey ^*, Gordon S Howarth ^* and Robert J Hughes 

^* Discipline of Agricultural and Animal Science, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, Roseworthy Campus, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia; GA Firth Pty Limited, 5 Lemnos Parade, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), Pig and Poultry Production Institute, Nutrition Research Laboratory, Roseworthy, SA, Australia

Correspondence: R E A Forder. Email: rebecca.forder{at}adelaide.edu.au

A small-scale, economical isolator system was adapted to hatch and raise chicks in a bacteria-free environment as a means to observe bacterial interactions with the intestinal mucosa during early development. The design and construction of flexible plastic isolators for incubation and brooding are described along with methodologies for preparation of eggs for entry into the isolators, incubation and hatching. Two trials were conducted, the first in August 2005 and the second in March 2006. Results from both trials showed no differences in body weights of chicks raised in isolation when compared with those raised conventionally. Growth of bacteria was detected from rectal swabs at day 2 post-hatch, with both trials, showing a light growth of Bacillus sp., coagulase-negative staphylococci and haemolytic streptococcus in trial 1, and a light growth of Bacillus cereus only in trial 2. Although not germfree, the growth of bacteria in chicks raised in isolation was decreased or absent when compared with chicks raised conventionally. Feed was negative for contamination and surface swabs of equipment were also negative until day 3 post-hatch, suggesting possible contamination within the eggs themselves. Despite the presence of bacterial species, the isolator system was successful in producing low bacterial load chicks for comparison studies with conventionally raised chicks.

Key Words: Chick • restricted intestinal microflora • flexible plastic isolators • incubation

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