article · Mansoura Journal of Biology
This research investigated how the gut microbiome of local Egyptian chickens changes across different life stages when fed a standard commercial diet. By analysing faecal samples using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and a DADA2 metagenomics pipeline, the study tracked bacterial diversity and composition over time. The findings revealed notable shifts in the microbiome, characterised by an initial dip in bacterial alpha diversity and relative abundance, followed by a subsequent recovery. Firmicutes genera followed this pattern of depletion and recovery, whereas Actinobacteria increased steadily as the birds aged. Specific bacterial shifts were observed at the genus level, including a drop in Lactobacillus and Corynebacterium, alongside an increase in Pediococcus. The initial drop in diversity could be linked to antibiotic use, whereas the recovery might be supported by dietary growth supplements.
Understanding how gut bacteria change as chickens mature is essential for improving animal health and meeting rising demands for poultry protein. Mapping these natural shifts and observing how feed additives or medications disrupt and restore microbial balance helps poultry producers manage flock health better, which ultimately influences food production efficiency, consumer safety, and the surrounding environment.
This early-stage observational research provides baseline microbiome data that could inform the poultry industry and animal feed manufacturers. It may support the future formulation of targeted feeds, probiotics, or dietary supplements designed to stabilise beneficial gut bacteria as chickens age. However, practical commercial applications remain early-stage, as the abstract does not report active product development or intervention testing.
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The ever-increasing demands for chicken protein by humans highlighted the implications of studying the effects of gut microbiome composition and diversity on this respect. The present study explored the bacterial community profile and its correlation with the different age stages of chicken. Egyptian local chicken were fed on a routine commercial diet and fecal samples were collected at different age points for microbiome analyses. Bacterial profiles of the chicken gut microbiome were investigated using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and a metagenomics DADA2 pipeline was used for data processing and analysis. The results showed significant diversity among all samples. Alpha diversity and the relative abundance of bacterial taxa first decreased then recovered with time. This was clear with Firmicutes genera that showed a depletion in their abundance followed by a subsequent recovery to the initial levels. However, Actinobacteria increased significantly over time. At the genus level, Lactobacillus and Corynebacterium declined in abundance, while Pediococcus displayed an increase in abundance with time. Similar dynamic patterns were exhibited at different taxonomic bacterial affiliates. While the initial decrease in bacterial diversity may be attributed to the effect of antibiotics, the subsequent attempt of the microbiome to restore its balance, composition and diversity may be driven by the influence of growth-promoting supplements in the diet. In addition, good management of the bacterial changes with chicken age might affect the poultry industry, consumers' health and even environmental health in a positive way.
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DOI: 10.21608/mjb.2024.447106
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