Methods of reducing incidence of mortality in fowl

Abstract

The disclosure relates to methods for decreasing incidence of mortality in fowl through administering isolated microorganisms to the fowl. In particular aspects, the disclosure provides methods of decreasing incidence of mortality in fowl through administration of a Clostridium sp. and a Clostridium cluster XIV bacterium to the fowl. The disclosure further relates to isolated microorganisms and compositions comprising the same.

1 . A method for decreasing incidence of mortality in a fowl, the method comprising:
 (a) administering to the fowl an effective amount of a probiotic fowl supplement comprising:
 (i) a  Clostridium  sp., and 
 (ii) a  Clostridium  cluster XIV bacterium; and 
   (b) a carrier suitable for fowl administration;   
       wherein the fowl administered the effective amount of the probiotic fowl supplement exhibits a decrease in the incidence of mortality, as compared to fowl not having been administered the supplement. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the probiotic fowl supplement further comprises a  Bacillus  sp. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the administering of the probiotic fowl supplement is an oral administration. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the oral administration comprises combining the probiotic fowl supplement with the fowl's feed, water, litter, medicine, or vaccine; or spraying the fowl with the probiotic fowl supplement. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the  Clostridium  sp. and/or the  Clostridium  cluster XIV bacterium are in spore form. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the probiotic fowl supplement is administered to the fowl at least once a day. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each administration of the probiotic fowl supplement comprises at least 10 3  of the  Clostridium  sp. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fowl is a broiler. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein (i) and/or (ii) are desiccated. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein (i) and/or (ii) are freeze dried. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the probiotic fowl supplement has a moisture content of less than 10%. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the probiotic fowl supplement is formulated as a water additive, a feed additive, a pre-pelleted feed additive, a pelleted feed additive, a post-pelleting-applied feed additive, a consumable liquid, a consumable solid, a consumable gel, or a gavage. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the probiotic fowl supplement occurs within or on pelleted feed. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mortality is caused by a pathogen selected from:  Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma meleagridis, Mycoplasma synoviae, Pasteurella multocida, Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium colinum, Clostridium botulinum, Salmonella typi, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enterica, Salmonella pullorum, Salmonella gallinarum, Haemophilus gallinarum, Erysipelothrix insidiosa, Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter lari, Listeria monocytogenes, Arcobacter butzleri, Mycobacterium avium , and pathogenic strains of  Escherichia coli  and  Staphylococcus aureus.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the mortality is caused by  Clostridium perfringens.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the incidence of mortality is decreased by at least 5%. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the incidence of mortality is decreased by at least 10%. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the administration of the probiotic fowl supplement shifts the non-pathogenic gut microbiome of the fowl. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the gut microbiome shift is an increase in the relative abundance of one or more microbes that were present in the gut prior to administration of the probiotic fowl supplement. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the gut microbiome shift is an increase in the relative abundance of obligate anaerobes and/or lactic acid-producing microbes.