Observations on the Ruminal Microorganisms of Isolated and Inoculated Calves

A study was made of the microorganisms in the rumen of three calves inoculated with whole rumen contents from a mature cow, and of two calves maintained in the same manner, except that they were not inoculated and were strictly isolated from other ruminants immediately after birth. Data were compared with data previously obtained on normally raised calves. Inoculation of normally raised calves had little effect on the time of establishment of predominant culturable bacteria typical of mature cattle, but had a considerable effect on the age at which ciliate protozoa became established.