Enterococus spp. and Lactobacillus spp., while Bacteroides spp. and Eubacterium spp. are
established after 2 weeks (Van der Wielen et al., 2001). According to Mead (1989), Lactobacillus
spp. in chickens mainly include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus salivarius,
and Lactobacillus fermentum which are absent initially and appear in significant
numbers (108–1010 g−1) by Day 4 of life. Large populations of non-spore-forming anaerobes
can be isolated later. Van derWielen et al. (2001) suggested that delayed development
of the cecal microflora in poultry may be caused by a lack of contact with the dam. In other
livestock species, maternal grooming and oral aerosols (i.e. coughing) are believed to be
important ways of inoculating young animals.