Microorganisms and methods for treating poultry

Abstract

An isolated Bacillus strain LSSAO1 is provided. When fed to a bird, this and other Bacillus strains described herein provide benefits to the birds. For example, administration of the one or more Bacillus strain can increase low G+C, gram positive bacteria in the gastrointestinal flora of the bird. These type of bacteria are increased by antibiotics and include beneficial Clostridium . Administration of the one or more Bacillus strain can also inhibit pathogen in the bird, such as E. coli, Salmonella , and Clostridium . These benefits can enhance feed conversion in poultry. Useful combinations of Bacillus strains and methods of using one or more Bacillus strain are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising administering an effective amount of at least one isolated  Bacillus  strain chosen from at least one of strains 3A-P4 ATCC Accession No. PTA-6506, 15A-P4 ATCC Accession No. PTA-6507, 22C-P1 ATCC Accession No. PTA-6508, BS27 Accession No. NRRL B-50105, 2084 Accession No. NRRL B-50013, and LSSAO1 Accession No. NRRL B-50104 to one or more bird, the administration of the strain providing at least one benefit chosen from increasing low G+C, gram positive bacteria in the gastrointestinal flora of the bird and inhibiting a pathogen chosen from at least one of  E. coli, Salmonella , and  Clostridium  in the bird. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the  Bacillus  strain is 2084 Accession No. NRRL B-50013. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein  Bacillus  strains 22C-P1 ATCC Accession No. PTA-6508, 2084 Accession No. NRRL B-50013, and BS27 Accession No. NRRL B-50105 are administered. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein  Bacillus  strains LSSAO1 Accession No. NRRL B-50104 and 3A-P4 ATCC Accession No. PTA-6506 are administered. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein  Bacillus  strains LSSAO1 Accession No. NRRL B-50104 and 2084 Accession No. NRRL B-50013 are administered. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein from 7.5×10 3  CFU of the  Bacillus  strain per gram of feed to 7.5×10 5  CFU of the  Bacillus  strain per gram of feed is administered. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein about 7.5×10 4  CFU of the  Bacillus  strain per gram of feed is administered. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bird is a turkey. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the turkey is a finishing turkey. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein  Bacillus  strains 22C-P1 ATCC Accession No. PTA-6508, 2084 Accession No. NRRL B-50013, and BS27 Accession No. NRRL B-50105 are administered. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the administering step alters the gastrointestinal flora of the finishing turkey similar to alteration provided by the growth promoting antibiotic virginiamycin. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein  Bacillus  strains 15A-P4 ATCC Accession No. PTA-6507, 2084 Accession No. NRRL B-50013, and LSSAO1 Accession No. NRRL B-50104 are administered. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the administering step reduces levels of  C. perfringens  type A in the turkey. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bird is a broiler. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein  Bacillus  strains 15A-P4 ATCC Accession No. PTA-6507, 2084 Accession No. NRRL B-50013, and LSSAO1 Accession No. NRRL B-50104 are administered. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the administering step reduces the level of  Salmonella  present in the litter of the broiler. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bird is a layer. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein  Bacillus  strains 2084 Accession No. NRRL B-50013, LSSAO1 Accession No. NRRL B-50104, and BS27 Accession No. NRRL B-50105 are administered. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the administering step reduces the level of avian pathogenic  E. coli  in the layer. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the reduced level of avian pathogenic  E. coli  in the layer reduces mortality and morbidity in the layer.