The Microbiome of Big versus Small Birds: An example of the Anna Karenina Principle

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Join Dr. Steve Lerner, as he presents this novel research on the Microbiome as a TechTalk at IPPE, on  Wednesday at 3:00 pm EST in B Hall, Booth B3649 or stop by the Chr. Hansen booth at IPPE, Booth #B7183  to learn more from our experts about this novel research.

Research Background: Despite low genetic variation of broilers and deployment of considerate  management practices, there still exists considerable body weight (BW) heterogeneity within broiler flocks  which adversely affects the commercial value. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the  cecal microbiome in weight differences between animals. Understanding how the gut microbiome may  contribute to flock heterogeneity helps to pave the road for identifying methods to improve flock
uniformity and performance.

Results: Two hundred eighteen male broiler chicks were housed in the same pen, reared for 37 days, and at  study end the 25 birds with highest BW (Big) and the 25 birds with lowest BW (Small) were selected for  microbiome analysis. Cecal contents were analyzed by a hybrid metagenomic sequencing approach  combining long and short read sequencing. We found that Big birds displayed higher microbial alpha  diversity, higher microbiome uniformity (i.e. lower beta diversity within the group of Big birds), higher  levels of SCFA-producing and health-associated bacterial taxa such as Lachnospiraceae, Faecalibacterium,
Butyricicoccus and Christensenellales, and lower levels of Akkermansia muciniphila and Escherichia coli as  compared to Small birds.

Conclusion:  Cecal microbiome characteristics could be linked to the size of broiler chickens. Differences in  alpha diversity, beta diversity and taxa abundances all seem to be directly associated with growth  differences observed in an otherwise similar broiler flock.