Development of the Caecal Microbiota in Three Broiler Breeds.

ABSTRACT: The development of the caecal microbiota plays a role in the metabolism and immune competence of chickens. A detailed understanding of normal succession in the caecal microbiota can inform the use of probiotics and other interventions to optimize the caecal microbiota. The development of the microbiota in caecal mucus and lumen samples from three breeds of broiler chicken (Cobb 500, n = 36; Hubbard JA87, n = 38; and Ross 308, n = 36) was observed between 0 and 42 days post hatch. Chicks were housed in the same room of a climate-controlled, biosecure chicken housing unit. Between 0 and 14 days post hatch, chicks were kept in brooder pens ensuring a mixture of breeds in each brooder. From 22 days post hatch, chicks were removed from the brooders and kept in the same room

SUBMITTER: Richards P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6603203 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature