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Article
2025
The chicken gut microbiome in conventional and alternative production systems
The chicken gut microbiome in conventional and alternative production systems
Abstract (English)
The poultry gut microbiome plays a key role in nutrient digestion, immune function, and overall health. Differences among various farming systems, including conventional, antibiotic-free, free-range, and organic systems, influence microbial composition and function through variations in diet, genetic selection, environmental exposure, and antibiotic use. Conventional systems typically rely on formulated diets and controlled housing conditions, often with routine antimicrobial use. In contrast, organic systems emphasize natural feed ingredients, including roughage, outdoor access, and strict limitations on the use of antibiotics. These divergent practices shape the gut microbiota differently, with organic systems generally associated with greater exposure to environmental microbes and, consequently, greater microbial diversity. However, the implications of this increased diversity for poultry health and performance are complex, as organic systems may also carry a higher risk of pathogen exposure. This review summarizes current findings on the chicken gut microbiome across conventional and alternative production systems (antibiotic-free, free-range, and organic), focusing on microbial diversity, functional potential, and disease resilience. The need for standardized methodologies and consistent nomenclature in microbiome research is also discussed to improve comparability across studies. Understanding how production systems influence the gut microbiota is essential for improving poultry health and productivity while addressing challenges related to antimicrobial resistance and sustainable farming practices.
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Journal of animal science and biotechnology, 16 (2025), 153.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01293-8.
ISSN: 2049-1891
London : BioMed Central
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Cheng, Y.-C., Krieger, M., Korves, A.-M., & Camarinha‑Silva, A. (2025). The chicken gut microbiome in conventional and alternative production systems. Journal of animal science and biotechnology, 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01293-8
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English
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630 Agriculture
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Sustainable Development Goals
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@article{Cheng2025,
doi = {10.1186/s40104-025-01293-8},
author = {Cheng, Yu-Chieh and Krieger, Margret and Korves, Anna-Maria et al.},
title = {The chicken gut microbiome in conventional and alternative production systems},
journal = {Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology},
year = {2025},
volume = {16},
}